transfer to Mac

[pexpert6]

My TiVO is getting pretty full of programs I'd like to keep, & I realized too late that I could have saved them at a much lower resolution. I know there's an ethernet jack, and references to home networking in the manual, so I think "no prob"...

Silly me, I connected my Series 3 HD via cross-over cable to my iBook (G4 OS 10.4), thinking the HD would show up on my desktop. I called TiVO to ask about this, & their tech suggested I check THIS forum for a free (or expensive) way to do this.

I've searched this forum, & I'm still pretty confused about how to do this. I've seen something about TiVO settings that aren't referenced in my manual, & other posts that imply I must have Toast to do this. Perhaps someone will help me, more plainly than other posts I've seen?

Can someone walk me through how to connect to my Mac, how to find the proper settings (both in the Mac & TiVO), how to move the files to my Mac & then back them up to DVDs?

If I MUST have software, what will I need that is compatible with my iBook, that I can get for free or cheap?

Thank you, in advance!

[Wil]

To get started just enter your Tivo's ip address into your browser and browse the Tivo website. Once you get your Tivo activated for file transfers and know your authorization number (MAK), look up iTivo's website and install on your Mac.

[richsadams]

Yep...iTiVo and PyTiVoX will become your best friends.

iTiVo: (http://code.google.com/p/itivo/) http://code.google.com/p/itivo/
PyTiVoX: (http://code.google.com/p/pytivox/) http://code.google.com/p/pytivox/

[Ladd Morse]

Agreed; iTiVo for transfering programs off the TiVo onto the Mac and PyTiVoX for the reverse.

[richsadams]

...and PyTiVo for the reverse.Make sure it's PyTiVoX (with the "X") for Mac. :)

[Wil]

Make sure it's PyTiVoX (with the "X") for Mac. :)PyTiVo itself is platform independent (though there is one specific version among the distributions that is a Windows installation app, much like pyTiVoX is Mac-only).

PyTiVoX provides a front end to do the preference settings, and it automatically installs a fairly recent version of the support file ffmpeg compiled specifically for the Mac.

Choosing pretty much depends upon how hands on you want to be; a pure pyTiVo allows more control, you know what's going on if something goes wrong, and you can update whenever you want, rather than relying on the one person who generously supports pyTiVoX and updates now and then. There are several people supporting pyTiVo. Also with the pure pyTiVo you can select among a number of ffmpegs with different capabilities, even compiling your own, defined with the packages you want, if you _really_ want hands on.

[richsadams]

PyTiVo itself is platform independent (though there is one specific version among the distributions that is a Windows installation app, much like pyTiVoX is Mac-only).

PyTiVoX provides a front end to do the preference settings, and it automatically installs a fairly recent version of the support file ffmpeg compiled specifically for the Mac.

Choosing pretty much depends upon how hands on you want to be; a pure pyTiVo allows more control, you know what's going on if something goes wrong, and you can update whenever you want, rather than relying on the one person who generously supports pyTiVoX and updates now and then. There are several people supporting pyTiVo. Also with the pure pyTiVo you can select among a number of ffmpegs with different capabilities, even compiling your own, defined with the packages you want, if you _really_ want hands on.Ah, got it. I did not know that. Good info. I'm usually "hands on" but PyTiVoX always does such a great job, I think I'll stick with it. :up:

[pexpert6]

To get started just enter your Tivo's ip address into your browser and browse the Tivo website. Once you get your Tivo activated for file transfers and know your authorization number (MAK), look up iTivo's website and install on your Mac.

Thanks for the reply! I assume TiVO IP address can be found by hunting through the menu screens?

And when you say "browse the TiVO website," you mean access my TiVO DVR with a browser? Will that give me an option to activate for file transfers, as well as the authorization number (MAK)?

I'm not sure what you mean by the last (look up iTiVO's website and install on your Mac)...

I appreciate the help!

[pexpert6]

Yep...iTiVo and PyTiVoX will become your best friends.

Thanks for the reply... I looked at the linked page, and I'm curious if there's instructions for this app, for whatever format one burns to a DVD?

I appreciate the help!

[pexpert6]

PyTiVo itself is platform independent (though there is one specific version among the distributions that is a Windows installation app, much like pyTiVoX is Mac-only).

PyTiVoX provides a front end to do the preference settings, and it automatically installs a fairly recent version of the support file ffmpeg compiled specifically for the Mac.

Choosing pretty much depends upon how hands on you want to be; a pure pyTiVo allows more control, you know what's going on if something goes wrong, and you can update whenever you want, rather than relying on the one person who generously supports pyTiVoX and updates now and then. There are several people supporting pyTiVo. Also with the pure pyTiVo you can select among a number of ffmpegs with different capabilities, even compiling your own, defined with the packages you want, if you _really_ want hands on.

Wow, that was WAY over my head! Do I need ALL of those programs, or will the first one Rich mentioned allow me to transfer the files to my Mac and burn them to a DVD?

Thanks!

[richsadams]

Thanks for the reply... I looked at the linked page, and I'm curious if there's instructions for this app, for whatever format one burns to a DVD?

I appreciate the help!Instructions for using either iTiVo or PyTiVoX are on the linked pages...the same one's that include the file download.

However if you want to download and burn shows to DVD your best bet then would be KMTTG:

http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/

Instructions for Mac installation are here:

http://code.google.com/p/kmttg/wiki/mac_osx_installation

There is a very good KMTTG thread here (the author is a regular TCF member):

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=387725&highlight=KMTTG

It's a very good program which I've used as well, however I can't speak to the commercial removal and burn features as I've never used them. I still use VideoReDo TVSuite (http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm) for all of my editing and burning. It's an excellent PC program...one of the few reasons I keep a PC around (that and upgrading TiVo ;)). The folks there tell me they're working on a Mac verison. Can't wait. You hear that guys? CAN'T WAIT!! :D

[Wil]

Wow, that was WAY over my head! Do I need ALL of those programsMy initial answer to you was:

"To get started just enter your Tivo's ip address into your browser and browse the Tivo website. Once you get your Tivo activated for file transfers and know your authorization number (MAK), look up iTivo's website and install on your Mac."

That's it.

The other posters and I got sidetracked into a discussion that goes beyond what you asked about. Happens. Sorry.

If, and only if, you at some point come to understand that it makes a lot more sense to store your shows on hard disk and play them back directly from your hard drive(s) via the Tivo, rather than storing them individually on DVD, does any of this further discussion apply.

[DCIFRTHS]

...I still use VideoReDo TVSuite (http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm) for all of my editing and burning. It's an excellent PC program...one of the few reasons I keep a PC around (that and upgrading TiVo ;)). The folks there tell me they're working on a Mac verison. Can't wait. You hear that guys? CAN'T WAIT!! :D

I would love to see a Mac version too!

[Wil]

I assume TiVO IP address can be found by hunting through the menu screens?Yes. Everyone I know has set up a fixed ip address for their Tivos so they know it, but in any case Tivo Central/Messages& Settings/Settings/Phone & Network will get you the ip address.

when you say "browse the TiVO website," you mean access my TiVO DVR with a browser? Will that give me an option to activate for file transfers, as well as the authorization number (MAK)?Yes. Actually it's just a convenient way to get to your Tivo account on the web; you're talking to Tivo Inc rather than to your Tivo DVR, that address is just a good way to get started. Just follow the obvious paths; you'll find how to activate and get you MAK. Go slow. Look at the menus you see and think about what you're trying to do.

I'm not sure what you mean by the last (look up iTiVO's website and install on your Mac)Well, look up itivo's website via google (I just did that and it's the very first entry) (or I think one of the other posters above gave you a link). When you go there, you'll find links to download the itivo program. Install it. On your Mac. Instructions are not really needed but I'm sure you'll also find a link on the site to some instructions.

Itivo allows you to download shows from your Tivo in DVD format.

Again, I'm not recommending this at all, I think it's pretty much 20th century stuff. But that's what most people are doing, that's what you asked how to do.

[pexpert6]

Yes. Everyone I know has set up a fixed ip address for their Tivos so they know it, but in any case Tivo Central/Messages& Settings/Settings/Phone & Network will get you the ip address.

I'm getting more confused the more I read...

I went into the Phone & Network menu, but don't see an IP address anywhere. My TiVO gets info from a phone connection, which is handy. I think you were assuming otherwise, although I did originally say I was trying to connect my iBook to the DVR by a crossover cable.

Am I to understand that perhaps I CAN'T transfer files WITHOUT connecting the TiVO to a home network? If so, this renders this whole issue moot, until a later date.

(The basic cabling was something I was asking about right in the beginning.)


Itivo allows you to download shows from your Tivo in DVD format.

Again, if I understand, if I connect the TiVO to a network, request an IP address, and find this MAK thing somewhere from TiVO's website, then the only other thing I need is this iTiVO program? It will allow me to transfer the files, already in DVD format, for backing up?

If I move my TiVO someplace to be able to connect to a network and a TV, go through all this online stuff, can I put my TiVO *back* where it is (with only a phone connection) and THEN transfer files directly to my iBook, over a x-o cable?

[Wil]

What is your computer internet connection via?

[mr.unnatural]

Your Tivo needs to be connected to a home network. Go to tivo.com and do a search for "Tivo to Mac", without the quotes. They have a version of the TivoToGo/Tivo Desktop software for use with a Mac. It's also included with Roxio Toast. One caveat is that it currently does not work with Snow Leopard (MAC OS X 10.6), although Roxio supposedly has a beta version as a workaround that you can download if you are using Toast. They are working on an update that will be compatible with 10.6.

One thing I didn't see mentioned is that you have to log into your acount at Tivo.com and set up your Tivo for transfers and also assign a name to it if you use TivoToGo.

[Thess]

Won't a lot of this also be dependent on whether his cableco is DRMing everything?

Says the disgruntled TWC customer who can transfer basically nothing off the TiVo.

[mattack]

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/popcorn/standard/overview.html
seems to be the SnowLeopard upgrade mentioned... At least for Popcorn.

[DCIFRTHS]

http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/popcorn/standard/overview.html
seems to be the SnowLeopard upgrade mentioned... At least for Popcorn.

What is the difference between Toast and Popcorn? I have always used Toast, but it may be overkill for me.

[Wil]

Won't a lot of this also be dependent on whether his cableco is DRMing everything?It's already thrown me for a loop that he doesn't have any kind of home network. I'm still trying to figure out how to make that work.

Trying to explain hacks to him at this point may be a little bit of overload.

He'll have to take what he can get, at this point, if we can get him basically up and running. Local stations, basic cable channels (assuming not an a'hole cable operation), hopefully some premiums (those that aren't coded coming into his cable head end), whatever his cable company doesn't screw up.

[mr.unnatural]

What is the difference between Toast and Popcorn? I have always used Toast, but it may be overkill for me.
Toast is a complete CD/DVD/Blu-Ray authoring and burning tool. Popcorn seems to be similar to something like DVDFab Decryptor for the PC for ripping and converting DVDs to portable formats.

[pexpert6]

After all these months, I've FINALLY managed to connect a VERY long ethernet cable out my window, across the way, to the wireless router, and configured my TiVO to have an IP address. I typed the IP address into my browser, & it gets a static page with links to TiVO's corporate website, no files on the TiVO hard drive or anything else.
I searched their website, & it seemed to tell me I need "Toast" and "TiVO Desktop" loaded onto my computer to even see if there's programs on the TiVO. I found an older version of Toast on eBay that will run on OS 10.4 (which won't arrive for another couple weeks), but the TiVO site doesn't list a version of TiVO Desktop that will run on my OS.
Talked to TiVO support at length, before the guy suggests I gamble that their system will recognize I have an older OS, & will download the correct utility. Somehow, it appears to have sent me a version good for 10.3 and above, which I installed. (TiVoDesktop_1.94_055.dmg)
When finished, a System Preferences window came up, indicating TiVO Desktop, but no apparent way to "start" the application, and a search of my computer doesn't find TiVO Desktop.
TiVO support will only help me if I have a new OS (not an option: 10.5 & 10.6 will not run my older applications)... just another in a long list of time consuming, expensive, frustrating experiences I've had with this TiVO....
At this point, it seems I have to wait to install Toast, & HOPE the support info is right, that I'll finally be able to view the files on the TiVO, transfer them, & burn them to DVD, allowing me to finally erase those programs from the TiVO.
Do I have this right?
Thanks.

[mattack]

You can also use iTivo, and MPEG Streamclip to view/edit the recordings (the majority of them).

That won't help with DVD burning, however.

[diphosphine]

After all these months, I've FINALLY managed to connect a VERY long ethernet cable out my window, across the way, to the wireless router, and configured my TiVO to have an IP address. I typed the IP address into my browser, & it gets a static page with links to TiVO's corporate website, no files on the TiVO hard drive or anything else.
I searched their website, & it seemed to tell me I need "Toast" and "TiVO Desktop" loaded onto my computer to even see if there's programs on the TiVO. I found an older version of Toast on eBay that will run on OS 10.4 (which won't arrive for another couple weeks), but the TiVO site doesn't list a version of TiVO Desktop that will run on my OS.
Talked to TiVO support at length, before the guy suggests I gamble that their system will recognize I have an older OS, & will download the correct utility. Somehow, it appears to have sent me a version good for 10.3 and above, which I installed. (TiVoDesktop_1.94_055.dmg)
When finished, a System Preferences window came up, indicating TiVO Desktop, but no apparent way to "start" the application, and a search of my computer doesn't find TiVO Desktop.
TiVO support will only help me if I have a new OS (not an option: 10.5 & 10.6 will not run my older applications)... just another in a long list of time consuming, expensive, frustrating experiences I've had with this TiVO....
At this point, it seems I have to wait to install Toast, & HOPE the support info is right, that I'll finally be able to view the files on the TiVO, transfer them, & burn them to DVD, allowing me to finally erase those programs from the TiVO.
Do I have this right?
Thanks.

Pexpert6-

From reading over your posts going back to last year, it seems pretty clear that you're a beginner at all of this. I'm no expert myself, but I think I understand the basics okay. It's worth mentioning that everything I know has come from reading the posts in these forums, so you'll get the hang of it if you keep reading. Anyway, I'm just mentioning it because I'm going to try to readdress your original question here because I think many of the posted replies, while valid, may not include all of the detail that you probably need.

With regard to TiVo Desktop, there is no separate application to find. It is just a system preference pane. If you go to System Preferences, you will find it in the bottom row under the "Other" category. Understand, however, that it is only capable of sending video/music/photos FROM your computer TO the TiVo, not taking shows from the TiVo to your computer, which seems to be what you want. Note that in order to see the Videos tab (in addition to the Music an Photos tabs), you will need to hold down the Command (Apple) key when you click on the TiVo Desktop preference pane icon. Each separate function (Music/Photos/Videos) has a button that you can "check" in order to publish (make available) the music, photos, and videos that you have stored on the hard drive of your computer. For the Videos tab, you also have to enter your MAK and select the folder on your computer that contains video files that you want to send to your TiVo. Finally, there is a Start/Stop button on the preference pane that needs to be clicked to make everything appear on your TiVo. The music and photos will appear as separate entries (based on the "name" of your computer) under the Music, Photos, & Showcases link on your TiVo while the videos will appear under the name of your computer on the Now Playing List. (You didn't ask about it, but Tivo Desktop also allows you to play your iTunes music and show your iPhoto photos through your TiVo.)

There are other programs that can do this same thing (as well as some other things). One that I use and others have mentioned is PyTivoX. However, I would wait until you understand how TiVo Desktop works before trying out PyTivoX, even though the latter program is superior in some ways.

As for using TOAST to transfer files and burn DVDs, I've never done it. I've seen others say that it will work fine to do this. So, you could go ahead and install it and follow their directions to burn your shows to DVDs. However, based on your description of what you are trying to do--regain space on your TiVo without losing the programs themselves--it seems that most people don't use the approach you are after. While there may be reasons to burn to DVD (e.g., archiving shows), many people prefer the simplicity of just leaving the files on their computer's hard drive(s). (Hard drives are getting cheaper and cheaper and can hold lots of shows that are immediately accessible to your TiVo without the trouble of dealing with DVDs. For example, you could buy an external hard drive and connect it to your iBook expressly for this purpose.)

iTivo is a program that many people use to transfer the programs from their TiVO to their computers. iTivo is an actual (free) program that it sounds like you might have already installed. You will find it under your applications. Once you've entered your Tivo IP address and MAK, you will just need to click a button to see what shows are on your Now Playing List on your TiVo. You can then select your shows and download them to a folder that you specify on your computer's hard drive. There is the issue of what format you store the files in on your computer, but I won't bother you with that unless you decide to go this route.

Between iTivo and TiVo Desktop you will have a mechanism for moving shows back and forth between your TiVo and your computer over your home network. Once you're sure you have the shows transferred to your computer in an appropriate format, you can delete the shows from your TiVo, freeing up space. When you want to watch them, as long as you have your computer hooked up to the network and Tivo Desktop started, you will be able to immediately access your computer's stored shows from your TiVo and transfer them as desired back to your TiVo. That is the approach that I use and why I don't bother with burning DVDs.

One final issue--and it's a big one--that you may be confronted with no matter what approach you use: depending on your cable company, some or all of the shows that you want to transfer from your TiVo may be copy-protected so that you won't be able to transfer them at all. It all depends on how your cable company has set things up and you won't be able to do anything about it. If that's the case for the shows you're interested in, you won't be able to use iTivo or Toast to transfer your programs.

[pexpert6]

You can also use iTivo, and MPEG Streamclip to view/edit the recordings (the majority of them).

That won't help with DVD burning, however.

I looked at iTivo, and it appears it isn't designed to do what I want to do.

I looked at the page for MPEG Streamclip, & I don't begin to understand what the heck it is, but it doesn't mention transferring the TiVO files to my Mac so I can burn them to DVDs.

[pexpert6]

From reading over your posts going back to last year, it seems pretty clear that you're a beginner at all of this.

I would have thought that was pretty clear from my initial post (before I got buried in highly technical gibberish), or at least my 2nd. I said so specifically in my 3rd post....

All I want is a SIMPLE way to copy these programs off my TiVO, just like I can copy files from a disk to my Mac by simply dragging it to where I want it.

I DON'T want to copy ANY files from my Mac to the TiVO, as is being suggested, & I prefer having these programs on DVDs, so I can watch them WITHOUT the TiVO, and WITHOUT my computer. I don't understand why everyone has an issue with that?!


With regard to TiVo Desktop ... just a system preference pane. ... it is only capable of sending video/music/photos FROM your computer TO the TiVo, not taking shows from the TiVo to your computer, which seems to be what you want. Note that in order to see the Videos tab ... there is a Start/Stop button on the preference pane that needs to be clicked to make everything appear on your TiVo.

Yeah, I discovered the System Preference, but thought there might be a file I could locates somewhere on my Mac. There is no "video" selection, & the "Start" button is disabled.

I explained probably 20 times to the TiVO tech that I ONLY want to move files off the TiVO to my Mac, & they insisted I needed TiVO Desktop AND Toast to even view the files on the TiVO. (I can't count the number of times TiVO has given me completely false info, with expensive consequences for me, starting with purchasing the TiVO to begin with.)


wait until you understand how TiVo Desktop works before trying out PyTivoX

Again, I searched on PyTivoX, & it's apparently for moving files FROM my Mac TO the TiVO... NOT what I want to do!!!


As for using TOAST to transfer files and burn DVDs, I've never done it. I've seen others say that it will work fine to do this. So, you could go ahead and install it and follow their directions to burn your shows to DVDs. However, based on your description of what you are trying to do--regain space on your TiVo without losing the programs themselves--it seems that most people don't use the approach you are after. While there may be reasons to burn to DVD (e.g., archiving shows), many people prefer the simplicity of just leaving the files on their computer's hard drive(s). ...

iTivo is a program that many people use to transfer the programs from their TiVO to their computers. iTivo is an actual (free) program that it sounds like you might have already installed. You will find it under your applications. Once you've entered your Tivo IP address and MAK, you will just need to click a button to see what shows are on your Now Playing List on your TiVo. You can then select your shows and download them to a folder that you specify on your computer's hard drive. There is the issue of what format you store the files in on your computer, but I won't bother you with that unless you decide to go this route.

Between iTivo and TiVo Desktop you will have a mechanism for moving shows back and forth between your TiVo and your computer over your home network. Once you're sure you have the shows transferred to your computer in an appropriate format, you can delete the shows from your TiVo, freeing up space. When you want to watch them, as long as you have your computer hooked up to the network and Tivo Desktop started, you will be able to immediately access your computer's stored shows from your TiVo and transfer them as desired back to your TiVo. That is the approach that I use and why I don't bother with burning DVDs.

This is not what the info about TiVo Desktop seems to say: it's only for moving files TO the TiVO, which is NOT what I want to do.

iTivo says it's for transferring the programs to iPods & such, not for copying to DVDs. Is the published info on those two apps wrong???

Was the TiVO tech wrong once more? I was told I need TiVO Desktop & Toast, but you and another person says iTivo does what I want (or part of what I want). I can't seem to get a clear story here...

You said I have to transfer shows in "an appropriate format." How the heck does someone who doesn't know all this technical crap know what format is "appropriate"? Won't Toast simply take a video file & burn it to a DVD that any DVD player can play?????

And if I have these programs on a DVD that I put in a DVD player, why does my computer need to connect to the TiVO ever again, let alone transfer them BACK to the TiVO???? That defeats removing files from the TiVO to make space for others, and it ties me to the TiVo, which I look forward to getting RID OF!

This forum has been enormously frustrating, just as TiVO tech support has been. I THOUGHT I've been very clear, speaking simple English, asking how to do a simple task. I've gotten all kinds of answers that don't accurately or directly tell me what's needed. Apparently no one here can understand how frustrating & annoying that is, & I can't understand why I'm such a heretic for wanting to do something no other TiVO user or employee can imagine doing, but I don't know how to ask for what I need any more clearly.

Is there ANYONE who has copied programs FROM a Tivo TO a Mac AND burned them to a DVD, that's willing to tell me how?

[mattack]

If you want to do it all in one simple step, then yes, you need Toast.

But iTivo will let you transfer recordings to your Mac, THEN you can use some other program (I would suspect there are third party free or cheaper ones) to burn DVDs.

Toast is the official answer. But as far as I know, Toast has no editing capability, and won't let you transfer at the originally recorded rate -- i.e. it always converts it to another format, which takes time.. (and is required to burn to DVD).

Really, if all you want are DVDs, getting a standalone DVD recorder (esp one with a hard drive, since you can then edit the recordings) is the easiest thing to do. I did this for a LONG time (and still use the recorder), before relatively recently finally starting to transfer to computer. (But I haven't burned any of the things I transferred to computer to DVD, I'm transferring to get the audio out and sometimes to make space on the Tivo.)

[diphosphine]

Quote:
Originally Posted by diphosphine
From reading over your posts going back to last year, it seems pretty clear that you're a beginner at all of this.
I would have thought that was pretty clear from my initial post (before I got buried in highly technical gibberish), or at least my 2nd. I said so specifically in my 3rd post....

All I want is a SIMPLE way to copy these programs off my TiVO, just like I can copy files from a disk to my Mac by simply dragging it to where I want it.

I DON'T want to copy ANY files from my Mac to the TiVO, as is being suggested, & I prefer having these programs on DVDs, so I can watch them WITHOUT the TiVO, and WITHOUT my computer. I don't understand why everyone has an issue with that?!

Well, that's clear enough. I doubt that anyone minds that you want to burn to DVD. The reason that I explained this other process is that I thought you might be opting for DVDs because you weren't aware of this alternate approach. From what I've read, Toast should do just what you want, and I expect that the included directions will be all you'll need.

[Phantom Gremlin]

There is an active forum discussing these issues, but it's not this forum!!!

You might find more answers by perusing the ongoing discussions found in the TiVo Home Media Features & TiVoToGo (http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=35) forum.

In the past, people have found problems with both Toast and TiVo Desktop. There are suitable free replacements for both. E.g. I download programs from my TiVo to my Mac by using the free (and supported in the forum!) kmttg program.

[pexpert6]

Friday I received a new copy of Toast 9 (from an eBay auction, under $20). I was able to see & transfer programs from my TiVO to Mac, edit out PBS pledge drives & commercials, & burn to DVD.

(Toast v9 documentation & controls aren't clear or obvious about everything, & it took me quite a bit of digging to find answers to what I'd think are simple questions. I've contacted Roxio about a glitch in 9.0.7 that is incompatible with OS 10.4 & Tivo Transfers. But otherwise, Toast is working well for my needs.)

I DID try iTivo, which continued to hang in the middle of transferring programs. I'm not sure that Tivo Desktop is useful for anything I'm doing.

After chasing my tail & a lot of wrong or less-than-useful info I received over the last year, it seems that:
(a) you MUST subscribe to Tivo, you can't simply program the DVR to date, time & channel, as with a VCR
(b) the Tivo WON'T access Comcast InDemand or other special data provided by Comcast
(c) you MUST connect the Tivo to a router to transfer files; a simple cross-over cable to a computer won't work
(d) additional software is required to access & transfer files from a Tivo
(e) like the cable company, Tivo "techs" don't actually know technically much about their product, & appear to only have canned responses to those things that Tivo wants to promote (& make profit from)

I'm happy to FINALLY be able to extract some very good programs from this DVR, start freeing up the drive space in the DVR, & have some freedom to choose a different DVR solution. Perhaps my experience here will be of use to someone else....

[Wil]

I DID try iTivo, which continued to hang in the middle of transferring programs.I frequently have the issue of the on-screen transfer progress indicator ceasing to increment, but the transfer itself continues apace and finishes in the usual time.

[mattack]

(d) additional software is required to access & transfer files from a Tivo

Technically no, since you could just use the web interface to the Tivo. But I use iTivo, since that makes it much more convenient, even as iTivo is slightly flaky.

Can you download with Toast with NO CONVERSION? I was under the impression that you HAD to do a conversion (e.g. to convert to ipod or somesuch). I want the raw, unmodified file. (tivodecoded, but not modified otherwise)

How accurate is the editing? I had thought the Toast software didn't actually allow editing.

Does it allow editing IN PLACE (i.e. remove a chunk from the file, don't save to another file)?

I would pay for the software if it was better than the solution I use now, and played ALL files (the older analog files I have don't play audio & video in mpeg streamclip, the only non-sucky program I've found that allows editing of the Tivo downloads).

[richsadams]

FWIW I had terrible experiences with Toast 9 Titanium. The interface is kludgy and it crashed more times than I can count. You can edit with it but it's terribly frustrating to do so and one of the most unintuitive program I think I've ever used. The OP is right, the directions are terrible as well. I'm glad it's working for him but it's collecting dust on my shelf and I wouldn't load it again if...well... I've never had a positive experience with any Roxio products over the years, but of course YMMV.

It's for that very reason that I keep a copy of Windows running via bootcamp on my MacBook so I can use the best video editor (bar none IMHO), VideoReDo TVSuite (http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm). They have promised a Mac version, but it hasn't appeared to date. (The developer is a TCF Member.) Can't wait though as the program is stellar. :up:

[pexpert6]

Mattack, I don't know what the "web interface" is, since I could never access the Tivo with my browser.

Nor am I sure what you mean by "raw, unmodified" or "conversion." The file transfer in about 10 minutes for an hour of program (slightly longer for longer programs), & I can play the file *immediately* with Toast Video Player.

As to editing, when you transfer the file to Toast, click on "edit" (and "edit" once again in the dialog box, Toast takes a couple minutes to load in the file. You'll see a button with a triangle below the picture, in the center. Play the video until you get to a spot you want to edit, & click on that button. The resulting triangle has two halves, you can grab one with your mouse and drag it to one end of the portion you want to crop out. You can edit the file in as many places as you like, and the resulting file that you burn to disc will be shorter than the original. (It seems Toast will retain the full file, if you change your mind about your edits.)

Some tips I dug up: the far left button will expand the window to full screen, the "Fine" button will display about 3x more frames, allowing more fine editing. Also, click on one half of the edit mark (it will highlight in yellow), & use your left/right cursors to adjust one frame either way, giving tighter editing. The full-screen picture you're on is the thumbnail frame below bordered in blue.

It's not as precise as professional editing, but close. If you need professional results, then I'd agree, you need a professional's tool.

Can't answer your last question about very old file formats.

I got Toast v9 because v10 won't run on my system (OS 10.4). And at $20 with shipping, it wasn't a big deal. Once I found answers to the editing tricks & such, I'm satisfied. I just wish it didn't take HOURS to "encode" before burning to DVD. But I'm guessing that's standard, since I encountered that a couple years ago on a Windoze 'puter, too. (Actually, that took forever to do every step of the process.)

This whole process is FAR more a pain in the butt than doing the same with VCRs, which I've done a lot. But Comcast has moved most of their lineup to digital, so VCR tuners don't work anymore. DVDs *are* more compact & rugged, & the actual editing is quicker than the same on video cassettes, done in real time, & VCRs are far less common than DVD players now.

But then I still have an audiophile 38-year-old turntable, & 500 LPs....

[Phantom Gremlin]

It's for that very reason that I keep a copy of Windows running via bootcamp on my MacBook so I can use the best video editor (bar none IMHO), VideoReDo TVSuite (http://www.videoredo.com/en/index.htm). They have promised a Mac version, but it hasn't appeared to date. (The developer is a TCF Member.) Can't wait though as the program is stellar. :up:


You can try running under VMware. They claim it works. (http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7741719#post7741719) It might be a little more convenient than rebooting.

[richsadams]

You can try running under VMware. They claim it works. (http://tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=7741719#post7741719) It might be a little more convenient than rebooting.I've actually run it under VM Ware and Parallels 5.0. It was a little dicey w/VM Ware, but worked okay with Parallels. Since VideoReDo is about all I run under Windows anymore it's not too much trouble to reboot. I also have it on a PC I built and kept to upgrade TiVo hard drives...but I rarely boot it up anymore...but I do have options. Good advice though. :up:

[mattack]

Mattack, I don't know what the "web interface" is, since I could never access the Tivo with my browser.

Nor am I sure what you mean by "raw, unmodified" or "conversion." The file transfer in about 10 minutes for an hour of program (slightly longer for longer programs), & I can play the file *immediately* with Toast Video Player.

As to editing, when you transfer the file to Toast, click on "edit" (and "edit" once again in the dialog box, Toast takes a couple minutes to load in the file.

The conversion I'm talking about is just like what you complained about burning to DVD. I was under the impression that _all_ downloads from Toast were converted.

But something is very weird if it really takes a couple of MINUTES to load a file into Toast.

I think you should try MPEG Streamclip. It does work well for editing _most_ files. (There are a VERY few it doesn't work for on digital channels, and it doesn't seem to work at all for the old analog recordings I still have around.) Well, technically it "works" since if I find the times I want to edit in another program, I can still edit in mpeg streamclip.. but I don't see what I'm doing while I'm doing it (I just set in/out points and save the resulting file -- and then can see it in another program like mplayer).

But for most recordings, it all works just directly in mpeg streamclip.

To connect to your Tivo via the web, you just go to:

https://tivo_ip_address

and log in with iirc name "tivo", password of your media access key from your Tivo.

It's very geeky, but you can do it. I'm very geeky, but even i prefer using iTivo. If Toast fulfilled all of my needs, I'd use Toast though. (a few minutes to load a file sounds unusable to me.)