Transfer Shows from TiVo to PC

TiVoToGo 101

One of the coolest features about TiVo is TiVoToGo, which allows users to transfer recorded shows from their TiVo box to a PC, where they can then burn them to DVD.

But How is this Process Done?

First, you'll want to be aware of the basic system requirements. If your computer isn't up to these standards, you may want to upgrade or grab that VCR out of the wastebasket.

Basic system requirements:

• PC equipped with Windows 2000 or XP
• DirectX 9.0 and up
• 500+ Mhz processor
• 256 MB RAM
• 5GB free disk space for installation program and recorded shows

Note that many of the requirements have been drastically updated in recent months. One section of the site, TiVo's FAQs, informs the user of the different requirements for the TiVo desktop. In the world of software, it's always safe to assume you'll need at least the highest recommended hardware.

Not sure how your system stacks up? A good (and simple) measure can be done by estimating the age of your computer. As long as you aren't sitting in front of a machine made shortly before or shortly after the year 2000, you should have enough space and power to accommodate TiVo's necessary tools. Clearly, TiVo isn't putting much of a strain on the average computer.

However, do make note of the Windows requirement. At this time, TiVo has yet to jump on the growing Macintosh bandwagon, so Mac users are out of luck for the moment.

TiVo Desktop

TiVo recommends you use its own software to transfer files from the DVR to a PC. That program is called TiVo Desktop, and can be downloaded from the official TiVo website.

There are a few versions of TiVo Desktop available for download. There is one available for Mac OS X, but it features playback only for digital music and photos. Sorry, Apple fans - only your iPod can play your favorite shows at this time.

Here's a roundup of the offered TiVo Desktop versions:

• TiVo Desktop Version 2.3a for Windows
  • Allows for browsing and burning a show library. Users can also sync up those shows for later viewing on a *Microsoft Windows Mobile or Portable Media Center device[Transfer Shows to Portable Device] .
  • Free!
• TiVo Desktop 2.3 Plus upgrade for Windows
  • All of the features of the basic version, plus automatic conversion of files to a format compatible with an iPod, PSP or Treo.
  • Other portable devices receive the automatic transfer as well, so long as they support MPEG-4 or H.264 video.
  • $24.95
• TiVo Desktop 2.3 for Viiv
  • Intel released the Viiv chip so that it might be the center of a home entertainment system. TiVo promises to help with that by releasing a version of its Desktop compatible with digital media centers.
  • Watch TiVo on any display in any room in the house. The convenience of watching from anywhere in your home is the point of most digital media center devices, and it's this feature that Intel hopes will draw TiVo fans to Viiv (and vice versa).
  • Free!
• TiVo Desktop 1.9.3 for Macintosh OS X
  • Mac users get the wrong end of the stick with this Desktop version, which offers only the transfer of digital music and photos.
  • Free, as it should be.

If you plan on forwarding the recorded shows onto a portable device, Desktop supports the following handheld media players:

• Apple iPod (5^th generation with video support)
• Creative Zen Vision or Zen Vision M
• Nokia N80
• Palm Treo 650, Treo 700p, or Treo 700w
• PlayStation Portable (PSP)