Media Access Key (MAK) - how useful is it?

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peng1nz

40 posts

Geek

#310542 30-Oct-2023 21:38

Both my TiVos have the MAK enabled. Back in the day they allowed browsing and watching content from each other which was a great feature. I know there are apps that will provide saving of content to PC but is there any way to restore something like the original feature so I can watch content of TiVo 1 on TiVo 2?

Spong

1005 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3153830 30-Oct-2023 22:39

Sorry, but the digital keys that allowed you to access content between Tivos on your network have expired, and no work's been done to resolve this, to the best of my knowledge.

However, I use the free kmttg Java based Windows program to decrypt and copy recordings over to a PC, or in my case my NAS drive, and can then play the files using Plex from various devices on my network, e.g. Rokus, Amazon Firesticks, or anything that can play media files. You'll definitely need a MAK on your Tivo to do this of course.

Tivo upgrades to operate with the new OzTivo EPG, support and service. Over 400 performed here so far. See: www.hillcrest.net.nz

peng1nz

40 posts

Geek

#3153854 31-Oct-2023 07:40

Spong:

Sorry, but the digital keys that allowed you to access content between Tivos on your network have expired, and no work's been done to resolve this, to the best of my knowledge.

However, I use the free kmttg Java based Windows program to decrypt and copy recordings over to a PC, or in my case my NAS drive, and can then play the files using Plex from various devices on my network, e.g. Rokus, Amazon Firesticks, or anything that can play media files. You'll definitely need a MAK on your Tivo to do this of course.

OK, thanks for the confirmation Spong. I seem to remember at time of the big switch off that there was a hope someone might have been able to develop a replacement function but I suppose the number of MAK users was too small to justify it.

My TiVos do still show each other in the Now Playing list but selecting says DVR-xxx has no recordings. I have noted that switching off the other TiVo slows down the display of this message (by a few seconds) which suggest they are actually communicating with each other but they no longer have ability to utilise the MAK (or something).

Re. kmttg, can TiVo see/play the PC/NAS files? If so then that may be a work around.