TiVo Desktop 2.8 released (repost)

bkdtv · 11-04-2009, 03:33 PM

TiVo released TiVo Desktop 2.8 (free). Aside from Windows 7 Compatibility, the changes include:

Quote:

The folders on the PC can now display when viewed from your TiVo DVR.

You can choose the discovery protocol TiVo Desktop & DVRs use to locate each other on your home network.

Changes to TiVo Desktop Plus (the pay version, but free upgrade):

Quote:

Transferring home movies recorded with a Flip camcorder to the DVR is now supported.

Transferring web videos in the MPEG-4 format to the TiVo HD or Series3 DVR is significantly faster.

Transferring web videos in the MKV format to the DVR is now supported. (DTS audio within this format is not supported.)

The video quality for PlayStation Portables has been improved.

TiVo Desktop Plus can create videos for playback on additional popular portable media players, such as the Apple iPhone, Apple iPod Touch, the Palm Pre and several models of Blackberry phones.

The user can now choose to auto-transfer all the contents of a folder.

JWThiers · 11-04-2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks for the info.

cherry ghost · 11-04-2009, 07:15 PM

Can't get it to uninstall 2.7 completely

jbernardis · 11-04-2009, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry ghost

Can't get it to uninstall 2.7 completely

I believe there is a Tivo desktop cleanup tool which I guess will go beyond the normal uninstall. You can probably google it, but I think I found it via this forum. Maybe you should try this (if you haven't already)

TexasGrillChef · 11-04-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry ghost

Can't get it to uninstall 2.7 completely

Are you runing Windows 7 Ulitimate 64 bit version?

It gave me the same issues on my Win7U 64 system.. but no issues on my 32bit system

TGC

JWThiers · 11-04-2009, 11:23 PM

I had no problems with Home Premium 64 bit.

cherry ghost · 11-04-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Are you runing Windows 7 Ulitimate 64 bit version?

It gave me the same issues on my Win7U 64 system.. but no issues on my 32bit system

TGC

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

I uninstalled it with Uninstall/Change and it still didn't completely uninstall. When I then tried to install 2.8 I still got the pop up saying 2.7 would be replaced by 2.8 and it eventually failed. Whatever is left behind is preventing 2.8 from installing.

cherry ghost · 11-04-2009, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbernardis

I believe there is a Tivo desktop cleanup tool which I guess will go beyond the normal uninstall. You can probably google it, but I think I found it via this forum. Maybe you should try this (if you haven't already)

thanks, I'll look around.

tootal2 · 11-05-2009, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry ghost

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

I uninstalled it with Uninstall/Change and it still didn't completely uninstall. When I then tried to install 2.8 I still got the pop up saying 2.7 would be replaced by 2.8 and it eventually failed. Whatever is left behind is preventing 2.8 from installing.

I had to install it into a new dir C:\tivo desktop to get it to work

ggieseke · 11-05-2009, 10:15 AM

The cleaner utility is at http://www.tivo.com/assets/exe/tivot...topCleaner.zip

ADG · 11-05-2009, 12:18 PM

1) Yes, you may need to download and run the cleanup tool.
2) If you get an installation error #1317 (cannot create directory.....), you'll need to take ownership of c:\program data\tivo and then rerun the installer.

TexasGrillChef · 11-05-2009, 01:05 PM

One other improvement not noted on TiVo.com is that under the "Auto-transfer" section where TD+ transfers video to your TiVo is that now you can have more than 10 videos per folder/directory. Before the max setting was 10, now you can have 25, or unlimited. Very nice! As sometimes I will get RSS feeds that will on some days fill it up with over 25 videos & it's nice that it will transfer them all at once (One at a time) till all have been transfered and not wait for me to watch & delete one before it transfers the next video in the que.

Very nice.. and I love the fact it now supports folder structure!

TGC

P.S. After I ran the TiVo Desktop Cleaner tool, TD 2.8 installed without issue. I didn't even have to re-enter the MAK or Serial # of my "+" upgrade. TD+ 2.8 is currently running without issue on my Windows 7 Ulitmate 64 bit system without issue.

SUGGESTION:

In TD you have the capability to set your "CACHE" folder & folder size. I had an old 512mb USB 2.0 flash drive. I set the folder to that flash drive, & I installed a 32gb Readyboost drive on the PC (Win 7 now supports up to 8 readyboost drives for up to 32gb each)

After doing the above... I noticed a HUGE speed improvement in transfering files in either direction to & from my TiVo's (I have one S3 and one HD)

Let me clarify the "Huge" speed improvement. Mainly applied to video that needed transcoding prior to sending to the TiVo had the largest noticeable speed improvement. ie a HD MKV (VC-1, AC3) file of "Observe & Report" transfered to my TiVo S3 in about 4.75 hours. After my suggestion, it transfered in just under 3.5 hours. Sending a HD TiVo file back to the TiVo hand only about 5% improvement in speed. Ie.... an episode of "Heroes" transfered back to my TiVo in about 45 min prior to my suggestion. After I implemented the abvoe suggestion the same episode transfered back to the same TiVo in just under 38 min.

TGC

Kenji · 11-05-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

TiVo released TiVo Desktop 2.8 (free)

Thanks for the info.

A J Ricaud · 11-05-2009, 05:13 PM

I couldn't uninstall ver. 2.7 on my Win7 64 bit Home Prem PC. I had to use the unistaller referenced above (Thank You!). I also had to enter my MAK when installing ver. 2.8. Seems OK now.

KungFuCow · 11-05-2009, 05:59 PM

Has TD come far enough along that its on par with PyTivo? Ive always found TD to be really slow to transfer and use a huge amount of memory. I bought it a long time ago and havent used it in forever because of this.

DougJohnson · 11-05-2009, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KungFuCow

Has TD come far enough along that its on par with PyTivo? Ive always found TD to be really slow to transfer and use a huge amount of memory. I bought it a long time ago and havent used it in forever because of this.

Up until 2.6, one of the TiVo server processes had a nasty memory leak. They fixed that in 2.7. I installed 2.8 about 6 hours ago. With the desktop and the servers running, it seems to be using less than 65 meg. It is a wonderful world when I can look at that and say "Not bad". -- Doug

cherry ghost · 11-05-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ggieseke

The cleaner utility is at http://www.tivo.com/assets/exe/tivot...topCleaner.zip

Thanks, that did it

TexasGrillChef · 11-06-2009, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cherry ghost

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit.

I uninstalled it with Uninstall/Change and it still didn't completely uninstall. When I then tried to install 2.8 I still got the pop up saying 2.7 would be replaced by 2.8 and it eventually failed. Whatever is left behind is preventing 2.8 from installing.

Run the TiVo Desktop Cleanup tool. It will fix your problem and allow you to install 2.8.

I love 2.8. I think its their biggest improvement in ages.

Oh... and if you have a spare USB Flash drive around. Hook it up to your computer and set it up as a ReadyBoost drive. Dedicating the entire size of it. (Up to 32gb). It will deffinatly improve transfer speed. At least it has with me.

TGC

dcstager · 11-06-2009, 09:45 AM

What is the procedure for getting .mkv files from the computer to the Tivo? I put an Mkv file into the My Tivo Recordings folder and it doesn't show up on now playing list on Tivo Desktop or on the Tivo's Now Playing on at the bottom of the now playing list.

bkdtv · 11-06-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstager

What is the procedure for getting .mkv files from the computer to the Tivo? I put an Mkv file into the My Tivo Recordings folder and it doesn't show up on now playing list on Tivo Desktop or on the Tivo's Now Playing on at the bottom of the now playing list.

First, do you own a license to TiVo Desktop Plus? Only the Plus version can play files other than MPG and .TiVo.

Second, your computer must have the codecs installed necessary to play MKV files in Windows Media Player. If you can't play it in Windows Media Player, then TiVo Desktop Plus can't send it to your TiVo.

As a reminder, TiVo can't support MKV files with DTS audio.

tootal2 · 11-06-2009, 11:08 AM

I cant get .tivo files to play on my computer with windows 7 64-bit. is there a fix for this?

thanks

orangeboy · 11-06-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

...As a reminder, TiVo can't support MKV files with DTS audio.

For clarification, Tivo, or Tivo Desktop? It's my understanding that Tivo Desktop transcodes on the fly when transferring to the Tivo. If the file plays on the computer, the codec is available for decode, why wouldn't it be available for transcode into ac3, or whatever is compatible?

dcstager · 11-06-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkdtv

First, do you own a license to TiVo Desktop Plus? Only the Plus version can play files other than MPG and .TiVo.

Second, your computer must have the codecs installed necessary to play MKV files in Windows Media Player. If you can't play it in Windows Media Player, then TiVo Desktop Plus can't send it to your TiVo.

As a reminder, TiVo can't support MKV files with DTS audio.

Yes I can play the MKV files in Windows Media Player. I have the free ffdshow codecs installed and they work. I do have a license for Tivo Desktop Plus. The files don't show on Tivo Desktop software running on the computer and they don't show up on the Tivo itself when you scroll down the Now Playing list to get to your files at the bottom. MPG files show up, but not the MKV files. They do not have DTS sound, just AC3 -- and I have the Windows Media Player codec for that installed and working too. There's just no indication the software sees the files in any respect.

Has anyone here successfully used MKV files with Tivo Desktop Plus?

armstrr · 11-06-2009, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasGrillChef

Run the TiVo Desktop Cleanup tool. It will fix your problem and allow you to install 2.8.

I love 2.8. I think its their biggest improvement in ages.

Oh... and if you have a spare USB Flash drive around. Hook it up to your computer and set it up as a ReadyBoost drive. Dedicating the entire size of it. (Up to 32gb). It will deffinatly improve transfer speed. At least it has with me.

TGC

can you give details on setting up this "readyboost" drive?

thanks

aaronwt · 11-06-2009, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tootal2

I cant get .tivo files to play on my computer with windows 7 64-bit. is there a fix for this?

thanks

Does your computer have TiVo desktop installed on it? And you've entered your Media Access Key?

sinanju · 11-07-2009, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armstrr

can you give details on setting up this "readyboost" drive?

thanks

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=set+up+readyboost&l=1

dcstager · 11-07-2009, 06:24 PM

I'm wondering if Tivo Desktop Plus is converting the compatible MP4 type files to MPG (MPEG2) or whether some native MP4 version is put on the Tivo Series 3 for playback? Does anyone know what Tivo Desktop Plus does with the newly supported formats?

TexasGrillChef · 11-08-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armstrr

can you give details on setting up this "readyboost" drive?

thanks

Get a USB flash drive and plug it into any one of your USB 2.0 ports. When the drive pops up in "My Computer", Simply right click on it and choose the "Readyboost" tab.

It will give you 3 options. Not to use, To dedicate the entire device to readboost, or allow you to use a portion of it.

It is best to dedicate the entire drive to readyboost functionality.

Size needed based on Microsoft AND Cnet recomendation is to have readboost drive size be at least 2x to 4x your installed RAM.

Thus if you have 2gb of RAM installed, You would want to use at least a 4gb flash drive to what would be best is an 8gb Flash drive. 4gb of Ram installed you would want at least an 8gb flash drive to no more than 16gb.

Windows Vista machines can only use 1 readyboost size with a maximum of 4gb for 32bit, and a maximum of 8gb for 64bit.

Windows 7, (32 bit or 64 bit) can use up to 8 readyboost drives, with each drive having a maximum of 32gb. Or a total amount of 256gb of readyboost space.

However... like I said.. the recomendation by Microsoft and CNET is to use at least 2x your installed RAM to no more than 4x. With 4x being the best. Anything over 4x will be waisted.

The other thing to note is this.... (On Windows 7). It is better to use one 8gb flash drive than to use two 4gb flash drives. Even though two 4gb flash drives are still better than one, or none.

Hope that helps.

TGC

TexasGrillChef · 11-08-2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcstager

I'm wondering if Tivo Desktop Plus is converting the compatible MP4 type files to MPG (MPEG2) or whether some native MP4 version is put on the Tivo Series 3 for playback? Does anyone know what Tivo Desktop Plus does with the newly supported formats?

The TiVo will support some forms of MP4/H.264. Depending on its "Level". Some needs to be converted some will just transfer over directly. I have never been able to figure out the specs of the files it does or doesn't transcode first. But it is obvious to me. AS I have several 1 hour MP4/H.264 shoes. Some of the 1 hr shows transfer in about 15 to 20 min. A couple of the others always takes about 45 to 50 min to transfer. The Files sizes are all about the same as well. (6gb)

Regarding MKV's.... MKV's are containers for your video and audio as well as subtitles. MKV's can use VC-1, H.264 or even MPG2 for their video codec. They can aslo have AC3, or DTS audio tracks.

I have some MKV's that can play on my TiVo and a few others that do not. I use pyTiVo to transfer my MKV's though. Works better & faster than TD. I use TD+ to handle my RSS feeds and auto transfers of them to my TiVo's. I also use TD+ to archive my favorite recorded shows from TiVo.

TGC

aaronwt · 11-08-2009, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armstrr

can you give details on setting up this "readyboost" drive?

thanks

Only use ReadyBoost if you have an old PC or not much memory. It's not going to speeds things up on a modern PC with plenty of memory.