Archive to DVD - Best method?

[remshard]

What is the best method to transfer Tivo recordings to DVDs? Is it to run your DVD recorder while watching the movie (what if I don't want to watch it), or is using TTG to transfer to PC then burn DVD from PC a better option? Both seem extremely time consuming just to offload something from a hard drive device to a DVD.

Are there any software programs to speed up the process and make it less labor intensive?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[chip_r]

You could just burn the .tivo file on a DVD as a data file. No recoding/authoring required but you would need to transfer the .tivo file back to your Tivo to play later.

The other option is to author a playable DVD with one of the may options discussed in the forum. Some are more CPU/time consuming than others.

When you mean archive, is it for material you just want to keep for the long-term or just watch next month?

[hearncl]

Your question is probably answered in the FAQs of this thread.

[RonDawg]

I have used both the PC and standalone DVD Recorder methods. In terms of total time allotted, it's actually a toss-up.

If editing commercials and other unwanted material is important, unless you have a DVD recorder with a built-in hard drive, PC is the best way to go. But it takes time to transfer to your PC over a network (my wired network takes about 40 minutes for a one hour program, possibly longer for wireless ones) and after you've edited the program, I feel my PC (Core 2 Duo with Windows Vista Home Premium) is slower to encode than my DVD recorders (Sony and Pioneer).

If you don't care about commercials being on the finished DVD, recording straight to DVD using a DVD recorder is easier.

[moyekj]

Also keep in mind that using a DVD recorder or any method recording from analog outputs there is a significant quality hit as you are going through D->A conversion followed by A->D and re-encoding. Going through PC is longer but avoids D->A or A->D conversions and transcoding is only needed for HD sources.

[remshard]

Thank you. Great information. As a follow-on, if I record mostly HD movies in best quality, there's probably no way to fit them on a DVD anyway. Right?

[bkdtv]

Originally Posted by remshard

Thank you. Great information. As a follow-on, if I record mostly HD movies in best quality, there's probably no way to fit them on a DVD anyway. Right?

The quality settings are ignored for HD channels.

TTG FAQ #18

How do I create standard DVDs from .TiVo recordings?

DVD players -- even those with 720p and 1080p upconversion -- are not able to display high-definition video. However, a number of different authoring applications will take high-definition .TiVo files, automatically downconvert them to SD resolution, and burn them to DVD for playback in standard DVD players.

[snipped]

TTG FAQ #19

Can I burn high-definition recordings from my TiVo to DVD for viewing on my HD-DVD or Blu-ray player?

Yes, you can burn high-definition TiVo recordings to DVD for playback in full high-definition on HD-DVD and Blu-ray players. See the following thread:

Creating HD-DVDs and Blu-ray disks with TiVoToGo using DVD media...

[dakk]

I just installed Tivo series 3 hd ...I already had Tivo series 2dt ......when transferring 30 Rock to computer using TivoDesktop 2.52, the series 3 reads 31 min. 498 MB ......My old series 2dt reads 31min. 853 MB .....the series 3 unit when transferring to TivoDesktop is doing this to all recordings.
When I run the files thru VideoReDo..their are way to many audio synch errors, than when I load it into DVDStyler 1.5 I get :
Create VOB files
Fix MPEG-file: G:\DVD'S\PBS\Ken Burns\Ken Burns American Stories - ''The Congress'' (Recorded Nov 7, 2007, WNET).mpg
warning: couldn't find any valid system header. I'm continuing anyway
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 00 video 01] [ 0.01%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 07 video 03] [ 5.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 11 video 04] [ 10.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 12 video 05] [ 15.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 14 video 07] [ 20.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 14 video 09] [ 25.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 15 video 10] [ 30.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 10] [ 35.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 10] [ 40.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 11] [ 45.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 11] [ 50.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 14] [ 55.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 14] [ 60.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 14] [ 65.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 14] [ 70.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 14] [ 75.00%]
Erroneous packet size, skipping
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 15] [ 80.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 15] [ 85.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 15] [ 90.00%]
Erroneous packet size, skipping
Erroneous packet size, skipping
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 15] [ 95.00%]
DemultiplexingXXX : [audio 16 video 15] [100.00%]
INFO: [???] mplex version 2.0.0 (2.2.3 $Date: 2004/01/13 20:45:26 $)
INFO: [???] File C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin\dvd\title0-0-0-0.m2v looks like an MPEG Video stream.
**ERROR: [???] File unrecogniseable!
**ERROR: [???] Unrecogniseable file(s)... exiting.
Error executing of command: mplex -f 8 -S 0 -M -V -o "C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin \dvd\title0-0-0.vob" "C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin\dvd\title0-0-0-0.m2v" "C:\Documents and Settings\Kevin\dvd\title0-0-0-0.mp2"
Notice how screwed the audio/video synch is
Is this a hardware problem specific to my series 3 unit?
Has anyone had a problem like this?
I have to stop recording on my series 3.....I can't put them on dvd
Could someone please point me in the right direction
I have some season series's coming to an end, one or two episodes left, I would hate to lose them, esp. after all the time & effort to get the full series.

[Laserfan]

Originally Posted by remshard

...if I record mostly HD movies in best quality, there's probably no way to fit them on a DVD anyway. Right?

"in best quality"? The HD Tivo records in the original HD format, whether 1080i or 720p, and most anything > a half-hour show won't fit on a DVD-5, so:

1. If you want to save your movies as DVDs that are playable on most-any SD DVD player your best bet IMO is to use VideoReDo to trim commercials and output as a transport stream. Then convert to DVD-5, or even DVD-9 using HDTV2DVD.

2. If you want instead to archive in HD, I can suggest re-encoding as an Xvid file. Most movies will still fit on a DVD-5 using 1280x720 at 4-5000kbps Xvid. These look very nice; difficult to distinguish from the original (mostly) 1920x1080i.

I use #2, but I also have a (non-Tivo) media player that will play these Xvids directly to my HDTV, with glorious (original) 5.1 Dolby Digital unchanged.

[dakk]

Using my 649 Tivo Series 2 dt I have been using Tivo DeskTop to bring files to my computer....run file thru Direct Show Dump....than edit on VideoReDo, now VideoReDo TVSuite.....DVDStyler 1.5.1 to author......ImgBurn to write to disk.....I have done thousands like that & would like to continue doing so....if possible.....Do not want to venture into using hd disks at this time.
If you have the time can you please walk me thru 'this new process'.............Please bare in mind I am a moron..................Thank you in advance.

[Laserfan]

Originally Posted by dakk

Please bare in mind...

Not gonna bare anything dakk! But if you have a Series 2 Tivo (standard-def) then just keep doing what you're doing. The dilemma (what best to do with very large files) only occurs when dealing with HD. Even a 40 minute show exceeds the storage capacity of a DVD-5.

EDIT: OK I see from another thread that you have an S3 now. You'll need to digest the FAQ referenced earlier...

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by dakk

run file thru Direct Show Dump....than edit on VideoReDo, now VideoReDo TVSuite.....DVDStyler 1.5.1 to author......ImgBurn to write to disk

Why are you using both DirectShow Dump and VideoReDo? VR can work with raw .tivo files just fine.

Also, why if you have VideoReDo TVSuite are you also using DVDStyler + ImgBurn anymore?

[dakk]

I am using my Series 2 for most of my files....................But I still need to figure out (for the future) how to take a file recorded by my Series 3 ....bring it to my computer w/Tivo DeskTop,
so far so good....than what? ....What is the software....and the steps that I have too learn to burn that file to DVD.
I downloaded HDTV2DVD......but what to I have to do to the file or files, after they are in my My Tivo Recordings folder .....before I can load them it HDTV2DVD.
Also it seem like it is worth purchasing SVCD2DVD
Once again Thanks.

[greg_burns]

Originally Posted by dakk

What is the software....and the steps that I have too learn to burn that file to DVD.

VideoReDo TVSuite seems like the clear choice to me.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=366484

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=373737

[mr.unnatural]

Originally Posted by remshard

What is the best method to transfer Tivo recordings to DVDs? Is it to run your DVD recorder while watching the movie (what if I don't want to watch it), or is using TTG to transfer to PC then burn DVD from PC a better option? Both seem extremely time consuming just to offload something from a hard drive device to a DVD.

Are there any software programs to speed up the process and make it less labor intensive?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

TTG is extremely time consuming and is not the best method for transferring recordings to DVDs. Unfortunately, forum rules prohibit the discussion of the best method available so you'll have to look outside this forum for that solution. Keep in mind that in order to use the best method available you'll have to hack your Tivo to disable certain functions and enable others. If you do not have the knowledge to hack your Tivo then TTG is your best option under those conditions.

[bkdtv]

Originally Posted by greg_burns

VideoReDo TVSuite seems like the clear choice to me.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=366484

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=373737

For those who haven't yet tried VideoRedo TVSuite, you can grab the 15-day demo here:

VideoRedo TVSuite v3.1.3.545

[HDTiVo]

Originally Posted by greg_burns

Why are you using both DirectShow Dump and VideoReDo? VR can work with raw .tivo files just fine.

You know I would be asking this until yesterday when I had some .tivo that just would not run through VideoRedo. It came from an S3 but was an analog recording. Anyway, I produced an mpg using DSD and that worked with VideoRedo.

I have never had anything such as that happen before on .tivos from S2s, S3s or THDs. Its just funny it happened that one time just yesterday.

It may never happen again to me, but for anyone that hits such a snag with a .tivo in VR, that might help.

[tootal2]

I download them from my tivo hd. Run them Thur video redo and burn the mpg files to dvd. That way i can upload them back to the tivo or use them to make hd-dvds in the future.

[andrews777]

Originally Posted by HDTiVo

You know I would be asking this until yesterday when I had some .tivo that just would not run through VideoRedo. It came from an S3 but was an analog recording. Anyway, I produced an mpg using DSD and that worked with VideoRedo.

I have never had anything such as that happen before on .tivos from S2s, S3s or THDs. Its just funny it happened that one time just yesterday.

It may never happen again to me, but for anyone that hits such a snag with a .tivo in VR, that might help.

I have been testing out the VideoRedo software and I find that my cable company is changing the frame size in many shows. This chokes up VideoRedo when it encounters the changed frame size, requiring a manual "QuickStream Fix" with a filter to convert the file before removing the commercials. I can automate the QuickStream Fix part, but I seem to have to manually run the "with a filter" part, making this very "me" intensive, something I was trying to avoid.

Otherwise, it seems to be a great program.

Brad

[remshard]

I'm frustrated with the HD transfers. I have no way to offload from TiVo to DVD. It seems my cable co. - Insight, Columbus, OH - has copy protected ALL HD programming (even beyond HBO, SHO, etc.). HD material from OTA channels seems okay. I've tried transferring using TTG and I've tried copying directly from TiVo to DVR (Save to VCR). Both methods show protected material.

On the other hand I've been trying VideoReDo TV Suite and it is a great program. I will defenitely purchase after the trial.

[litkaj]

Originally Posted by Laserfan

"in best quality"? The HD Tivo records in the original HD format, whether 1080i or 720p, and most anything > a half-hour show won't fit on a DVD-5

I haven't come across a single 30 minute HD show that won't fit on a DVD-5 and many 1-hour shows will fit as well, particularly if you trim out the commercials (bringing them down to about 40 minutes).

Originally Posted by Laserfan

2. If you want instead to archive in HD, I can suggest re-encoding as an Xvid file. Most movies will still fit on a DVD-5 using 1280x720 at 4-5000kbps Xvid. These look very nice; difficult to distinguish from the original (mostly) 1920x1080i.

XviD isn't optimized for video at that resolution and bitrate. You're better off going with H.264. You'll stay closer to the source material and do it at a lower bitrate. If you're archiving @ 720p (natively or deinterlaced/resized from 1080i) then you can get (8) 30min shows (removing the commercials takes them down to about 21 minutes each) on a DVD-5 and they look great. Similarly, with the exception of a few really long movies and a few high-complexity ones, a DVD-5 provides more than enough room for a 720p movie (especially since most movies are really only about 90 minutes these days and that leaves you with a bitrate north of 6000 kbit/s and room to spare for 384kbit/s AC3 audio).

[Laserfan]

Originally Posted by litkaj

...many 1-hour shows will fit as well, particularly if you trim out the commercials (bringing them down to about 40 minutes).

Some perhaps, but not "many". Yes I edit-out commercials.

XviD isn't optimized for video at that resolution and bitrate. You're better off going with H.264.

My player doesn't do H.264. The Xvids look great, I'm happy with them.