3 replies to this topic

[darknater]

Is mac2tivo capable of transferring *.tivo files back to the tivo like tivo desktop pref panel?
Since upgrading to Mac OS 10.6 (Snow Leopard) tivo desktop no longer works and
mac2tivo doesn't seem to allow .tivo files to be transferred to the tivo.  I just bought
toast 10 and I'm disappointed to find out I can't seem to transfer shows back to the
tivo.  The tivo transfer beta works fine transferring from the tivo to the mac, but I want
to also be able to transfer back to the tivo.

Thanks!

[GB Potter]

Same situation here.. anyone have any ideas? The TiVo Transfer Beta 2 pulls the files well but I'd like to send some back...
Thanks!

[tivoyeur]

Toast is not a practical way to use your Mac HD as an overflow or backup drive for the TiVo.

To play a file that came from a TiVo through a TiVo, use Toast to convert the .TiVo file to a format like .mp4 that Mac2TiVo can handle (see Mac2Tivo's built-in Help for a complete list).

Limitations:

1. If it is an HD recording, even if you have the HD plugin, Toast will reduce the resolution to 480x360, "the maximum size allowed by TiVo".
2. The conversion takes time. On my 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, it takes about an hour to convert an hour-long recording--when it works. Sometimes it generates thousands of checksum errors (on a file that came from Roxio's own TiVo Transfer) and/or freezes and/or gets confused about the duration of the recording.

As far as I can tell, neither TiVo nor Roxio mention these limitations when they promote Toast for its TiVo Transfer and Mac2TiVo capabilities. On the other hand, they never claim that you can send a file that came from a TiVo back to a TiVo. They only say Mac2TiVo can be used to stream your own movies through the TiVo.

Larry

Edited by tivoyeur, 03 October 2009 - 01:28 PM.

[bedelman]

If it is an HD recording, even if you have the HD plugin, Toast will reduce the resolution to 480x360, "the maximum size allowed by TiVo".

True -- but there are other options that will not result in a reduction of the resolution. Toast is adhering to the rules set forth by TiVo -- rules that other third party tools do not necessarily obey.

The conversion takes time. On my 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo MacBook Pro, it takes about an hour to convert an hour-long recording--when it works. Sometimes it generates thousands of checksum errors (on a file that came from Roxio's own TiVo Transfer) and/or freezes and/or gets confused about the duration of the recording.

The ElGato Turbo.264 which Toast 9 and 10 support makes a huge difference for me with regard to the creation of MP4 files.