TiVo Desktop Problem w/ Media Player

[SpiritualPoet]

I just installed a wireless network without a problem. (One TiVo can send/receive programs from the other). The problem I have is: TiVo Desktop requires the usage of Microsoft Windows Media Player. The Media Player by Microsoft is now at version 11. Version 11 does not have the necessary MPEG-4 codec installed. I cannot find this codec anywhere on the Internet! I talked to Microsoft without success. I talked with a supervisor at TiVo without success! Programs successfully transfer from the TiVo to the Desktop but will not load for playback into the Windows Media Player version 11. My computer does not have a DVD player installed. TiVo customer service told me that was not a requirement. (Is that correct?) Where can I get the necessary codec, how much does it cost, and, how do I install it successfully? (By the way, Microsoft's online trouble-shooter says the problem lies with a missing MPEG-2 decoder. Why? The Media Player or the TiVo Desktop tip says a MPEG-4 codec is essential.)

[Draco_1962]

I am running MS WMp 11 and can view my transfers without any problems. You may want to either install the codec again or try reinstalling the latest player. Here are a few links that may be useful:

[Draco_1962]

My apologies - since I am new and haven't posted 5+ posts the site will not allow me to enter the urls you need,

[Draco_1962]

the next message will have what you may need

[Draco_1962]

"https:\\www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/format/codecdownload.aspx"
"http:\\www.wmplugins.com/ItemList.aspx?typeid=8"

[greg_burns]

Tivo files are MPEG-2 files. Windows does not ship with an MPEG-2 codec. No version of Windows Media Player comes bundled with it either. You cannot just download it from MS, cause it cost $$$.

If you buy TivoDesktop Plu$ it comes with the necessary MPEG-2 codec.

Or you can buy one from a third party, like Nvidia.
http://www.nvidia.com/object/dvd_decoder.html

Or you can download a "free" (aka illegal) codec from the seedy internet
http://www.cole2k.net/?display=Codec-Pack-Standard

Tivo KB article
http://customersupport.tivo.com/Laun...A-FBCD815E5512

BTW, TivoDesktop does not require the use of WMP. You can use any video player you like.

[ariuszme]

i have played my downloaded programs on my pc with wmd 10 or 11, both still avail for download, and (for me) i had no extra codecs i needed to download.

[SpiritualPoet]

I downloaded Windows Media Player version 11 just recently yet it won't by itself play programs from the TiVo Desktop. I also clicked to seek updates a few times but each time I was told no updates are available.

[SpiritualPoet]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. However, I tried to find the MPEG-4 decoder codec (are both needed or simply one or the other?) but they are not in the links provided. Every time I went to a link recommended, all I saw were links for DVD decoders. Does anyone know why this is? (The exception is Greg_burns post. However, his links are for MPEG-2 decoders.) I truly want an MPEG-4 decoder codec. I haven't found a link for that anywhere. The reason I want MPEG-4 is because that is what the TiVo Desktop says is the requirement for usage with WMP. I want a codec for MPEG-4 (MPG4). Finally, I don't know how to use Real Player or any other player other than Media Player to interface with the TiVo desktop for playback of recorded programs, else I would have attempted to do so.

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by SpiritualPoet

I truly want an MPEG-4 decoder codec. I haven't found a link for that anywhere. The reason I want MPEG-4 is because that is what the TiVo Desktop says is the requirement for usage with WMP. I want a codec for MPEG-4 (MPG4).

Show me where it says MPEG-4 codec is a requirement to play .tivo files using Windows Media Player.

Did you read the KB article I posted? It is quite clear.

TiVo Desktop includes the TiVoToGo™ feature, allowing you to transfer TiVo recordings to your PC. Because TiVo recordings are compressed using a format called MPEG-2, your computer needs a compatible MPEG-2 codec to use these files. Depending on how you plan to use TiVoToGo, you may need to purchase software that includes a compatible MPEG-2 decoder.

I'll say this again. Windows Media Player (all versions including 9, 10, and 11) do NOT come with an MPEG-2 codec. No version of Windows ever came with one. (There was talk about Vista coming bundled with one, but haven't heard what came of that). If your computer plays Tivo files without needing to download one, that is because your computer manufacturer ALREADY installed one for you. Most likely your manufacturer (Dell, HP, etc) preinstalled one for use with DVD playback.

You may already have an MPEG-2 codec on your computer (DVDs use the same format, so if you play DVDs on your computer, you have an MPEG-2 codec). However, not all MPEG-2 codecs will play TiVo recordings properly.

MPEG-2 codecs are not free. You have to pay a license fee to have it on your machine. Hence, to keep costs down, MS choose not to include one with Windows out-of-the box.

DivX is MPEG-4. Xvid is MPEG-4. If you want MPEG-4 go download one of those. They won't help you play .tivo files. If you are trying to play on a portable device (Apple iPod, Sony PSP, Palm Treo, Nokia N80 phone, etc.) you will want to install Tivo Desktop Plu$ (the pay version). It will include both an MPEG-2 and a MPEG-4 codec.

Now it is a very well known problem on this site, that you can purchase and install an MPEG-2 codec and still have playback problems.

Download the Windows XP Video Decoder Checkup Utility and see what codecs it says you have installed.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

[greg_burns]

BTW,

https://www.microsoft.com/windows/wi...cdownload.aspx

That does NOT include an MPEG-2 codec. Also, Windows XP already has all the codecs in that pack. (Notice no download for XP)

[SpiritualPoet]

Thanks, Greg. I installed the MPEG-2 decoder from Nvidia. It works now. I could not replicate the message about the requirement of MPEG-4 (but I'm positive it popped up probably from WMP prior to Microsoft's linked Website to the "help" button imbedded in WMP which told me I needed an MPEG-2 decoder/codec.) I will eventually add the MPEG-4 because I plan to purchase a portable device for stoarge/playback of TiVo programs. I do wish TiVo AND Microsoft would provide sources of MPEG-2, MPEG-4 when prompted. To not have this information available is a huge disservice to computer owners everywhere.

[SpiritualPoet]

Postscript: I found out that during a program's transfer from the TiVo Desktop to the Window Media Player, one shouldn't start playback until the transfer is complete. I found out that only 1 minute of a program would play and then stop (presumably only the first minute had transferred to the WMP) when I attempted to begin playback almost immediately during a transfer. The TiVo Desktop (or the TiVo Website if not both) indicates you should be able to begin playback prior to transfer completion, albeit with occasional stops. I did not find this to be correct. I had to delete the partial program in the WMP and then wait for the upload to complete prior to playing back a program.