Trouble transfering from PC to TiVo.

FandL · 09-13-2005, 10:08 AM

I have 7.2 on the TiVo.
2.2 on the PC.
XP pro sp2

When I go into now playing I see the PC and all the shows, but when I try to transfer I keep getting a file not found error. Any thoughts?

davezatz · 09-13-2005, 10:44 AM

Temporarily disable the software firewall on your PC and see if that clears it up.

FandL · 09-13-2005, 10:50 AM

Turning off the fairewall makes no difference

davezatz · 09-13-2005, 10:54 AM

My only other suggestions then relate to the type of files you're using... Try working with .tivo files first to ensure the function is working. Some of my .mpegs don't start to transfer or complete transferring. Some research in other threads suggest the audio and/or bitrate could impact Tivo's ability to handle certain files.

FandL · 09-13-2005, 12:47 PM

Looks like that was the problem.... Thanks.

ChristheC · 09-13-2005, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davezatz

My only other suggestions then relate to the type of files you're using... Try working with .tivo files first to ensure the function is working. Some of my .mpegs don't start to transfer or complete transferring. Some research in other threads suggest the audio and/or bitrate could impact Tivo's ability to handle certain files.

Yea, what he says.

If you don't have a .tivo file on your pc, send a short one from the TiVo to the pc then back again. Assuming it transfers both ways ok, then you can go on to testing with outside source .mpg's.

Work & test with small files as much as you can FandL.

Some work, some don't. I haven't done any serious testing yet but . . .

some of my problem mpegs I have gotten to transfer to the TiVo if I demux/remux them.

davezatz, I'm not sure if resolution / bitrate / audio specs are going to turn out to be the problem with "some work, some don't". It may be something else in the headers.

I have tons of .mpg's on my pc drive transferred from ReplayTV. These have a success rate of less than 50% going to TiVo (but these mpegs are not very compliant anyway).

DVD rips, .VOB file re-names, & captures from a Pinnacle PCTV Deluxe I have seem to be successful most of the time.

Max_Power · 09-13-2005, 11:33 PM

Im having same problem as the op

i have same setup

have sent a small .tivo file from tivo to pc and back but cannot send converted mpeg2 from avi to tivo unit, any ideas?

Summary:
Duration: 01:29:07
Bit rate: 2200kbps
Video:
Format: mpeg2video
Size: 640x480
Frame rate: 29.97fps
Audio:
Format: mp2
Bit rate: 192kbps
Sample rate: 44100Hz
Channels: Mono

using imTOO AVI MPEG converter

FandL · 09-14-2005, 06:41 AM

TiVo lists the official specs that are acceptable at this URL:

http://customersupport.tivo.com/know...c/tv251080.htm

640X480 is not a supported resolution.

Any files I have converted to these specs seem to transfer just fine.

funkdaddy · 09-14-2005, 11:29 AM

320x240 works too...

FandL · 09-14-2005, 01:57 PM

Good to know. Thanks.

Max_Power · 09-14-2005, 05:11 PM

So it gives a file not found error because I had it at 640 x 480?

DrDravenStone · 09-14-2005, 06:30 PM

Same thing here...
I can get all the .tivo's to go back and forth, but not a single .mpg file will transfer (thus far)....

sigh.

azitnay · 09-14-2005, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max_Power

So it gives a file not found error because I had it at 640 x 480?

Yeah, the file not found error really doesn't always mean file not found... You'll also get it when attepting a transfer of an incompatble file.

Drew

Max_Power · 09-14-2005, 11:06 PM

well i re-encoded and it still gives the ol' file not found error

Summary:
Duration: 01:29:08
Bit rate: 2200kbps
Video:
Format: mpeg2video
Size: 704x480
Frame rate: 29.97fps
Audio:
Format: mp2
Bit rate: 192kbps
Sample rate: 44100Hz
Channels: Mono

any more ideas? am able to transfer back and forth as well as stream music

FandL · 09-14-2005, 11:44 PM

Your audio rate could be the problem. The file not found message seems to be a catch all.

Once I have recoded to one of TiVo's approved formats, I have had no problems.

I can tell you Nero, does not export a compatible file.

d4jaj1 · 09-15-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

I can tell you Nero, does not export a compatible file.

Why do you say that? I'm getting the same error of file not found (doesn't even begin transfer). Also, the Tivo it doesn't show the duration of teh file - but it plays perfectly on my computer.

I followed the specs exactly as on the Tivo site for supported formats, even reimported the mpg into Nero to ensure it met those standards. The only files that will transfer and\or play are .tivo files.

any suggestions?

zigmo · 09-15-2005, 12:58 PM

I just got home media setup and have sucessfully transferred files from my TiVo to my PC. From this thread, it seems there is a way to transfer from PC to TiVo. Is there a FAQ or some such that will help me get started on this?
Any information would be appreciated.

davezatz · 09-15-2005, 01:03 PM

There are a few other threads on the forum documenting some of the features and tools to use. I also started a faq/tutorial at www.zatznotfunny.com/gtt.htm.

zigmo · 09-15-2005, 02:20 PM

Thanks.
I'll try it out when I get home tonight.

DrDravenStone · 09-15-2005, 02:36 PM

I was able to get an MPG to transfer, but I did have to re-encode it.
Since I'm at work, I don't remember the exact size I used, but it definately seemed to be the resolution that was causing the error.

I know it's a new feature, and the tivo even warns you that certain files may have problems with transfer and/or playback but a file was not found error is really a horrible catch all message, jeez... even something like an unspefied error has occured would be better then being told something concrete that is wrong.

SO, now I guess I need to figure out what the best and fastest transcoder (and settings!) is out there cause this is a feature I have been waiting for for a LONG time, and it's fantastic to have it.

Max_Power · 09-15-2005, 04:13 PM

Do you have a suggested bitrate to try because http://customersupport.tivo.com/know...c/tv251080.htm

doesnt really say anything other than mpeg-1 layer 2 which is what i used

HDTiVo · 09-15-2005, 04:48 PM

48KHz@192Kbps

Max_Power · 09-15-2005, 06:01 PM

thanks for all the help so far, I tried it with the 48k@192 and didnt work. I really dont know what else to try

zigmo · 09-15-2005, 08:39 PM

So, it looks like I have to convert my AVI file to MPEG format - okay. According to www.zatznotfunny.com/gtt.htm (thanks, btw) I can use VLC (which I have).
So far, so good.
I quickly figured out that there is no easy "convert to MPEG" command but that you must stream the entire video to an MPEG. I can live with that - I can make the time.
What has blown my mind are the number of settings for the stream output function!
I'm assuming I select output to file, but then I get confused.
TivoToGo needs MPEG2, but I don't see that setting. I see three different MPEG settings for the encapsulation method (MPEG TS, MPEG PS and MPEG 1) as well as Video and Audio Transcoding options. I see some optins for video codecs, but once again, MPEG2 is not there and I have no idea what audio codec to use. Once I select whatever video and audio codec I need, I then need to set a bitrate and Scale/Channels for Audio and Video, but I don't know what numbers to use. There were some suggestions in this thread for bitrate, but they also involved a KHz setting, which I don't have at all.
Sorry for all the newbie questions, but I'm realy trying to get this to work.

davezatz · 09-15-2005, 08:46 PM

On my "Demos" page I link to Galleon's Flash tutorial of VLC. It's pretty straight forward once you watch his nice walk-through. Also for reference the range for many settings are on the Tivo support page I link to. I'd put it all in this post for you now, but I'm on my way out.

Max_Power · 09-15-2005, 10:37 PM

Used VLC and followed the tutorial
was able to get the file to actaully transfer to my tivo however file would not play (listed as having 00:00 duration) on my tivo or pc

spyhunter · 09-15-2005, 10:50 PM

I can export an .mpg from Nero, transfer and play on TiVo with no problems, however when I try to tell TiVo to save an .mpg 'Until I Delete' or anytime longer than the default time, I get error #86 on TiVo.

Is this a limitation that TiVo currently has and everybody is getting this, or is Nero making a bum .mpg?

I wish there was folder support because this is going to be a nightmare to organize these .mpgs on TiVo, also you can transfer the same one over and over again, which is kind of weird.

It would be nice if we could publish and stream .mpgs instead so that we are not filling up the HD on TiVo, but streaming 720x480 appears to be more than a strain on a home network, maybe if they made restrictions on the size of an .mpg to stream it may work? hmm...

SH

zigmo · 09-15-2005, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davezatz

On my "Demos" page I link to Galleon's Flash tutorial of VLC. It's pretty straight forward once you watch his nice walk-through. Also for reference the range for many settings are on the Tivo support page I link to. I'd put it all in this post for you now, but I'm on my way out.

Wow - what a freakishly cool demo page! Thanks.
I'm trying a conversion right now. What a pleasant surprise that it's faster than real time.

---------------------

Well, the conversion is done and I have more problems. Sheesh.
I tried to test the MPG file I created by opening it with VLC and got only an audio track. What happened? I followd the demo exactly but just MPGA for the audio Codec as the directions were vague. Since the audio was the only part that did come through, I assume I at least did that part right.
I found out that the aspect ratio of the file is 368x208 - apparently not one of TiVo's support ratios. How can I change it to an acceptable ratio?
In either case, I put the file in the My Tivo Recordings folder and nothing showed up in Now Showing - presumably because the conversion didn't work.

-----------------------

I've tried a few more conversions and everytime I get audio but no video on my pc. Still can't transfer to TiVo unit. Checked Firewall settings and all TiVo Apps are allowed. Once I get the conversion working, I'm hoping that TiVo will just transfer the file gratis.

davezatz · 09-16-2005, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyhunter

I get error #86 on TiVo.

Is this a limitation that TiVo currently has and everybody is getting this, or is Nero making a bum .mpg?

Do you use a WG111 wireless adaptor? So far it seems like this error occurs when working with MPEGs and that particular adapter...

spyhunter · 09-16-2005, 07:13 AM

Nope, I have Linksys' USB200M...

It seems odd that a network adapter could cause this though, since the file is there and plays, it just won't KUID...

SH