What is the File Format .TIVO? On my PC using "TIVO Desktop" software

I know I am kicking up an old thread but I am still curious about all of this "encryption" since Windows Media Player can play TIVo files. (Fairly new Romeo OTA machine). Is is just because these are OTA shows?

 

If .TiVo files play in WMP you must have the old TiVo Desktop software installed. It adds a DirectShow filter that decrypts the file before passing it on to a demuxer and the individual codecs.

 

I guess I must because it does seem to work. Again that may just be because this is an OTA only box and if it was broadcast over the air, the Betamax decision says it is OK to save for you personal use. It is interesting that only the Windoz 7 products can eat these files, including Movie Maker but some paid for video editors can't see them and VLC player just displays garbage.

 

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It's the filter issue.

 

I am just curious why windows 7 apps play these and nothing else does. Did windows exploit the decryption in desk top or something?

 

My two Win10 machines will play .TiVo files in WMP too. At one point they both had TiVo Desktop installed. I removed TD, because at some point it stopped working when I tried it. I normally use kmttg, but I think there was a thread here that prompted me to try TD. I can install it, and launch it, but it can't seem to download the NPL from either of my TiVos.

Just tested this, downloading a show that was recorded OTA (Bolt) and one from Cable (Roamio), using kmttg, not decrypting, and both .TiVo files play in WMP. But besides having installed and removed TiVo Desktop, I think I installed a K-Lite Codec pack on both, too.

 

Win7 came with the ability to play DVDs (mpeg-2, which is the default .TiVo file format, although maybe now, with some cable providers, maybe it is mp4?). Win10 doesn't.

 

Even OTA recordings are encrypted on a TiVo, they just don't have the copy-protection flag set to "copy once". Media Player and Movie Maker both use Windows DirectShow technology where all the filters and codecs are selected automatically to create a filter graph from those already installed on the box. If the TiVo DirectShow Source Filter (part of Desktop) is installed properly those programs will use it when you play a .TiVo file. VLC and many video editors either build their own graph or use their own codecs entirely, which is why they can't handle the encryption. This is a typical filter graph with Desktop Plus installed.



If you install Desktop, set the MAK, and then uninstall it using the Remove Partial option it leaves the filter behind. There are also 3rd-party decryption programs like tivolibre that can remove the decryption permanently and leave you with plain MPG files that almost any player or editor can handle.

 

I haven't tried it but since I can import and see shows in Movie Maker I assume I could export them in any format MM supports. (even burn a DVD)