Instructions for burning TiVo to DVD

adicted_to_chaos · 01-21-2007, 11:03 AM

(If I'm breaking any TC rules, feel free to edit or delete this post).

Thanks to the posts on this site I was able to burn a DVD with 2 hours of TiVo content in under 20 minutes. (but it took me 4 hours of searching threads to get it working). I'm computer literate, but by no means an expert. If this doesn't work for you, I'm sorry.

I have 3 80 hour TiVo Series 2 DVRs, networked w/ Linksys adapters to a 2 year old, Pentium 4 HP running XP Media Center Edition. I've got a Gig of RAM and 180GB hard drive. I am running TiVo Desktop v2.3a. I played the finished DVD's in a fairly new Phillips DVD player.

If it helps anyone, here is how I did it:

First:

Download and install:

-VideoReDo. It is free to try, $49.99 to buy.
-DVD Styler. It is free.
-DVD Decrypter. It is also free.

(I tried to include the links but TC won't let me post with URL's). Go to:

videoredo"dot"com
dvdstyler"dot"de
dvddecrypter"dot"org"dot"uk

Then:

-I created a folder on my C: drive, within “My TiVo Recordings” called “TiVo Burned to DVD” to use as a work place.

-Open VideoReDo
-Click “Open Video”
-Look in your “My TiVo Recordings" file and select the show you want to burn.
-Save As .vob (DVD Stream).
-Repeat for each show you want to burn.
(this took about 1 ½ minutes on my computer for a 50 minute TiVo recording saved at basic quality).

-Now go back to your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder and change the extension of the .vob file to .mpg

-Open DVD Styler (this is where you create a menu for your DVD)
-Use the "Background" tab to select a menu background (You can cut/paste an image file and save it in C/program files/DVD Styler/Backgrounds if you don’t like theirs).
-Use the “Button” tab to select a menu button style. Drag and drop the button where you want it to appear on the background.
-Double click on the button to change the text, font or properties.
-Now use the “Directories” tab, find your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder.
Drag and drop your file(s) into the storyboard at the bottom of the DVD Styler box
-Double click on your menu buttons and assign them to the right title/chapter for each selection.
-Click File>Burn DVD (make sure “create ISO image” is selected).
-Change the "Save To" location to the “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder
(This took about 10 ½ minutes for 2, 50 minute TiVo recordings saved at basic quality)

-Open DVD Decrypter
-Select Mode>ISO>Write so that you can find your file (the default is to read a DVD from your drive).
-Load a DVD+R (the only format I’ve tried) into your drive
-Select the Source (you’ll find it labeled “dvd” in your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder if you didn't change the "save as" name.
-Hit the “DVD” icon to start recording
(just over 5 minutes to burn 2, 50 minute TiVo recordings saved at basic quality)

mfrns0123 · 01-21-2007, 02:23 PM

Thanks for putting the instructions all in one place.

DonWidmore · 01-22-2007, 07:40 PM

When I was at Best Buy the clerk told me that I could burn .tivo files to DVD straight, without editing them. Is that possible at all?

Don

windracer · 01-22-2007, 08:27 PM

You can burn the .tivo files to a DVD, sure ... but then you'll only be able to play them on a PC (basically your just saving them to DVD like any other file).

If you want to be able to play them in a DVD player you need to take some steps like the OP listed.

fickjr · 01-31-2007, 05:50 PM

Does anyone know of a editor that can be used to remove commercials?

Thanks,
Chuck

2004raptor · 01-31-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fickjr

Does anyone know of a editor that can be used to remove commercials?

Thanks,
Chuck

videoReDo. It's not free but well worth the cost.

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 07:01 AM

Ok, I followed the steps below as posted but when watching the DVD the sound and picture are out of sync?

Open VideoReDo
-Click “Open Video”
-Look in your “My TiVo Recordings" file and select the show you want to burn.
-Save As .vob (DVD Stream).
-Repeat for each show you want to burn.
(this took about 1 ½ minutes on my computer for a 50 minute TiVo recording saved at basic quality).

-Now go back to your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder and change the extension of the .vob file to .mpg

-Open DVD Styler (this is where you create a menu for your DVD)
-Use the "Background" tab to select a menu background (You can cut/paste an image file and save it in C/program files/DVD Styler/Backgrounds if you don’t like theirs).
-Use the “Button” tab to select a menu button style. Drag and drop the button where you want it to appear on the background.
-Double click on the button to change the text, font or properties.
-Now use the “Directories” tab, find your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder.
Drag and drop your file(s) into the storyboard at the bottom of the DVD Styler box
-Double click on your menu buttons and assign them to the right title/chapter for each selection.
-Click File>Burn DVD (make sure “create ISO image” is selected).
-Change the "Save To" location to the “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder
(This took about 10 ½ minutes for 2, 50 minute TiVo recordings saved at basic quality)

-Open DVD Decrypter
-Select Mode>ISO>Write so that you can find your file (the default is to read a DVD from your drive).
-Load a DVD+R (the only format I’ve tried) into your drive
-Select the Source (you’ll find it labeled “dvd” in your “TiVo Burned to DVD” folder if you didn't change the "save as" name.
-Hit the “DVD” icon to start recording
(just over 5 minutes to burn 2, 50 minute TiVo recordings saved at basic quality)

greg_burns · 02-09-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scj6771

Ok, I followed the steps below as posted but when watching the DVD the sound and picture are out of sync?

Try mounting the .iso file you created from DVDStyler in a virtual DVD drive and see if it plays correctly.

Daemon Tools is a good free DVD drive emulator.
http://www.daemon-tools.cc/dtcc/down...tegory&catid=5

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 07:41 AM

Ok I tried that but the results were the same, sound and video do not sync.

Lazlo123 · 02-09-2007, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windracer

You can burn the .tivo files to a DVD, sure ... but then you'll only be able to play them on a PC (basically your just saving them to DVD like any other file).

If you want to be able to play them in a DVD player you need to take some steps like the OP listed.

That's strange... I have burned .tivo files straight to dvd a few times now, and they have worked in several different DVD players.

greg_burns · 02-09-2007, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scj6771

Ok I tried that but the results were the same, sound and video do not sync.

Load your orginal file back into VRD and hit Ctrl-L. Let us know the output.

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 08:55 AM

greg_burns · 02-09-2007, 09:42 AM

Odd your's doesn't have the Copy To Clipboard button. What version of VR are you running?

I'm running v2.5.4.507

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 10:01 AM

2.2.1.445

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 11:01 AM

I did notice I forgot to do this in DVDStyler:

"Make sure you change your Configuration->Settings from PAL (the default) to NTSC."

Could this have a negative effect?

greg_burns · 02-09-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scj6771

I did notice I forgot to do this in DVDStyler:

"Make sure you change your Configuration->Settings from PAL (the default) to NTSC."

Could this have a negative effect?

It would, but I wouldn't think it would play at all.

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 11:18 AM

Nevermind, I just tried it again with the same results.

scj6771 · 02-09-2007, 01:58 PM

Ok, I have read most all of the 16 pages in this post and have tried the method as described below but still the video and the audio are out of sync? also the video seems to "studder" quite often?

1) Edit the file in VideoReDo and output it as a .vob file.
2) Change the file extension on the output file to .mpg
3) Load the file into DVDStyler and design a simple menu for it
4) Output it to an ISO image.
5) Burn the ISO image using DVDDecrypter.

My DVDStyler version is 1.5b7 (I did try with older versions as well). Something happens between DVDStyler and DVDcrypter

****EDIT****
I just relaized that this only happens when I do an episode of lost??? I just did 2 episodes of The Unit with no problems at all.

msmart · 02-09-2007, 05:47 PM

Quote:

I just relaized that this only happens when I do an episode of lost???

Try running the .mpg file through VRD using QuickStream Fix saving to .vob. Rename to .mpg again then use the new file(s) in DVDStyler.

About 1 in 10 shows I convert has to be run through QuickStream Fix. In my case though, the audio plays fine but the video stutters. That's why I always play the disc image on the PC before burning. If it stutters, delete disc image, fix in VRD, remake disc image.

greg_burns · 02-09-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scj6771

Something happens between DVDStyler and DVDcrypter

The output of DVDStyler is just an .iso file. You could try ImgBurn instead of DVDDecrypter, but all it is doing is burning that .iso file to disk. The problem has to be further upstream...

scj6771 · 02-10-2007, 06:15 AM

Thanks all, I will try the Quickstream fix option, also, I tried playing the couple of DVD's that did go well into my dvd player at home but realized that it prolly will not work with the Audio and Video folders on the disk.

How can I create the DVD without creating the folders?

How can I create the video to test without making anymore coasters?

And with the new version of DVDStyler is there really any need to change from .vob to .mpg?

scj6771 · 02-13-2007, 09:29 AM

Ok I ran it through VRD using Quickstream Fix and it worked!!!! Below are the steps I will use in the future. Not sure why some of you are renaming the file from .VOB to MPG?

1) Edit the file in VideoReDo and output it as a .vob file.
2) Load the file into DVDStyler and design a simple menu for it.
3) Output it to an ISO image.
4) Extract ISO to test video before burning.
5) If video/audio is out of sync run it through VRD using QuickStream Fix.
5) Burn using Nero (or step 6 as ISO).
6) Burn the ISO image using DVDDecrypter.

msmart · 02-13-2007, 09:42 AM

Super!!

As for renaming from .vob to .mpg.... I was doing it because that's what everyone was saying to do. Maybe you are correct in that the new version of DVDStyler doesn't require it. I'll try not renaming it and post back.

dlfl · 02-13-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msmart

Super!!

As for renaming from .vob to .mpg.... I was doing it because that's what everyone was saying to do. Maybe you are correct in that the new version of DVDStyler doesn't require it. I'll try not renaming it and post back.

This is an old issue, answered many times in various threads:
1. At least in some installations you don't have to rename .vob to .mpg.
2. You never actually have to rename -- if the .vob doesn't show up in the DVDStyler Directory tab, you can drag it onto the timeline from Windows Explorer.

It appears this issue depends on program version and/or PC and/or Windows version and/or Windows file association configuration.

How you get the file into Styler, and its extension, don't matter as long as it's VOB type, as saved from VideoReDo (or as output from gui4ffmpeg, although it will then have .mpg extension.)

jlb · 02-13-2007, 12:34 PM

Just to add my $.02. ...... Video Redo was the first software app of its type that I have purchased/downloaded. I have been very glad that I did that. The program is easy to use and a snap for editing out the commericals.

Another thought to put out there is to download DVDShrink (also free). I use it to backup my daughter's movies so she can take the copies in the car rather than the originals. Since I only use SL discs, the program very nicely and easily takes a DL movie and compresses as necessary to fit on a single layer disc. I believe you could use a program like DVDShrink to compress you ISO images further, allowing you to get more episodes on one disc (of course at some point the quality will be such that you may not like the results).

scj6771 · 02-14-2007, 01:17 PM

How could I burn multiple shows onto a dvd? Can I just add them into DVDStyler, create a menu for each and burn them?

dlfl · 02-14-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scj6771

How could I burn multiple shows onto a dvd? Can I just add them into DVDStyler, create a menu for each and burn them?

Sounds like you aren't aware of the DVDStyler Operation Manual, which tells you how to do multiple titles, multiple menus, multiple titlesets, etc.

MPSmith · 02-25-2007, 05:23 PM

After I hit "Burn DVD" in Video Styler, it fails after a couple of minutes and I get the following error message:

"Error executing of command: spumux 'C:\Documents and Settings\Michael\dvd\menu1-0.mpg_spumux.xml'"

Any ideas what this is? I think I am following the instructions exactly.

Thanks

osmuem · 02-25-2007, 07:44 PM

Which version of DVD Styler or other programs do I need for Windows XP? Newbe on this, forgive me.

dlfl · 02-25-2007, 10:51 PM

DVDStyler Version 1.5beta7 is recommended for Windows XP.

VideoReDo fixes audio sync problems when it processes a file. It has settings to control how this is done and the maximum sync error before it drops video or audio frames to correct. It also allows you to introduce any desired constant audio delay (or advance). Audio sync processing occurs whether you save as VOB or .mpg.

You can free-trial VideoReDo for 15 days uncrippled. Download, install, then register for the free trial (or it will be limited to 15 or 30 minutes of video per file). I've only paid for three video processing programs and VideoReDo is by far the one I would least want to do without.