questions → can i transfer tivo files to my pc's hard drive?

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Can I transfer TIVO files to my PC's hard drive?

Mar 21, 2013 10:35 AM

If I record some off-the-air DTV programs, using a TiVo (or a similar standalone box), can I transfer those files from the recorder to my hard drive? What file format does the TiVo use?

Or, if not, what's an inexpensive way to record off-the-air programs so they end up on my PC?

crowbite crowbite

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I will answer only for the TiVo. I don't know (or care for that matter) about other boxen.

The answer is a resounding yes, and as for 'how', pick your method. There is a program called TiVo Desktop. You can log in to your TiVo via a web page and download the file. There's a better program called pyTiVo with more features than TiVo Desktop. The format is .tivo, VLC can play it and it is very easily converted to regular mpg.

http://www.tivo.com/mytivo/howto/record-once-watch-anywhere/howto_transfer_shows_pc.html

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/tivotogo-faq/

http://pytivo.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/PyTivo

stile99 stile99
vote-for8vote-against

There are programs that can strip out commercials automatically also then resave the file but for the life of me I can't remember the name, a quick googling will get that for you.

zapp brannigan zapp brannigan
vote-for7vote-against

@stile99:
Thank you very much for that detailed answer! Sorry I can give you only +1, that deserves more than one point.

I'm still curious about the other brands of recorder, since something else might pop up on sale before the next TiVo clearance.

crowbite crowbite
vote-for10vote-against

@crowbite: You should explore your options for using the PC as a DVR first. Here are some videos and articles from CNET:

http://cnettv.cnet.com/cutting-cord-why-why/9742-1_53-50124474.html
http://cnettv.cnet.com/how-record-live-tv-computer/9742-1_53-50132757.html
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57505378-58/get-an-hdhomerun-prime-cablecard-tuner-for-$129.99/
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13845_3-57571547-58/get-a-ceton-infinitv-4-tuner-for-$169.99-shipped/

tbgolladay tbgolladay
vote-for8vote-against

@crowbite: Here are some more:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20025986-1.html
http://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20070460-285/how-to-get-free-hdtv/

All kinds of HDTV and home theater info:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20080072-1/geoff-morrisons-hdtv-and-home-theater-resource-center-and-infotacular/

tbgolladay tbgolladay
vote-for6vote-against

Can I do this with DirectTV's DVR?

caffeine_dude caffeine_dude
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@caffeine_dude: No.
Crowbite: A Tivo would work nice but as long as your destination is a PC anyway why don't you just purchase a tuner card for your PC and use WMC? I use a Tivo but have read a tuner card and WMC is quite a bit cheaper but does require some setup.

jjeff jjeff
vote-for3vote-against

Thank you all for your answers!

To respond to a few of you, who suggested using a tuner card (or USB tuner) with my PC to do the recording... There are a few reasons why I'm exploring a separate "box" to do the recording.

• First, a TiVo (etc.) would be smaller than a PC and thus more convenient.
• Second, a TiVo (etc.) would hopefully have lower current consumption.
• Third, the ultimate destination is to put the files on my laptop so I can watch them while I'm travelling, so I would need to transfer them from the "recording" PC to the "playback" PC. Since that transfer step would be necessary anyway, why not just transfer them from a TiVo (etc.) which has the first two advantages.

crowbite crowbite

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