Some elementary Tivo questions.

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Username01

142 posts

Master Geek

#103320 4-Jun-2012 13:27

Wondering how versatile this device is. Can I copy content to it off my PC? If so, what formats will it play? What format does it use to write out to the optional external hard drive?

Thanks folks!

gregmcc

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#635469 4-Jun-2012 14:39

Username01: Wondering how versatile this device is. Can I copy content to it off my PC? If so, what formats will it play? What format does it use to write out to the optional external hard drive?

Thanks folks!

Yes you can with the home network package, connected to your network via ethernet or wireless, when you move things to your PC you can choose the format it is converted to and optimise it for particular device, like ipod/iphone or portable media player.

As far as getting stuff off the optional external HDD, can't be done (Easily) as the Tivo treats it as part of the internal HDD and portions of each recorded program are spread across both HDD's in tivo's own format.

Greg

nate

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#635475 4-Jun-2012 14:57

Having come from being a long term user of MySky, I'm a big fan of TiVo. It does lots of little things much better.

One example is keeping selective recordings. I can opt to delete the news the day after (I don't want to watch news that's a week old) but my favourite programs, keep those until I've watched them.

The remote does take get some getting used to, but it really kicks the MySky's butt (but obviously doesn't have as many channels as Sky)

GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#635674 4-Jun-2012 21:49

I really like the feel of the remote - feels so nice in the hand. And the user interface of TiVo is quite nice too.

Username01

142 posts

Master Geek

#636610 6-Jun-2012 12:31

Thanks for the replies guys. Still wondering though .... e.g. if I have an mkv file on my laptop, can I unplug the optional USB hard drive from the Tivo, plug it into my laptop, copy mkv (or mov, or avi, or flv) from the laptop to the usb drive, unplug the usb drive from the laptop, then plug it into the Tivo, will the Tivo like what it then sees, or not , or ask to format the hard drive into some bespoke format or will it cure my (common) cold..?

And another ? if I get the additional network package, would the (by then) networked Tivo play back the laptop-based mkv (etc), or would it (automagically) need to convert the files into some native Tivo filetype?

Also, yet another, but this time almost certainly impossible to knowingly answer; how's the Tivo going to interact with the newly announced (but unfunded) Freeview Interactive project currently being vapour-wared by Freeview Inc. ??

As you can guess, I'm really trying to find good reasons to buy one of these boxes at what appears a ridiculously low price of $199.

Thanks again folks.

U.

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#636617 6-Jun-2012 12:45

Username01: Thanks for the replies guys. Still wondering though .... e.g. if I have an mkv file on my laptop, can I unplug the optional USB hard drive from the Tivo, plug it into my laptop, copy mkv (or mov, or avi, or flv) from the laptop to the usb drive, unplug the usb drive from the laptop, then plug it into the Tivo, will the Tivo like what it then sees, or not , or ask to format the hard drive into some bespoke format or will it cure my (common) cold..?

Definitely not. If you unplug the optional USB HDD you will loose all your recordings, as they are spread across both the internal and external drive. Also it uses the MFS file system - not Windows compatible.
EDIT: if you want more storage, just replace the internal drive. Its cheaper, tidier, less risky and it's fairly easy to do.

Username01:And another ? if I get the additional network package, would the (by then) networked Tivo play back the laptop-based mkv (etc), or would it (automagically) need to convert the files into some native Tivo filetype?

Automagically convert and transfer using TiVo Desktop or pyTiVo software installed on your PC.
I have found that there are a few formats that don't seem to work. So I still keep my XBMC Xbox plugged in too.

Username01:Also, yet another, but this time almost certainly impossible to knowingly answer; how's the Tivo going to interact with the newly announced (but unfunded) Freeview Interactive project currently being vapour-wared by Freeview Inc. ??

There was some discussion of this in a recent thread.

Username01:As you can guess, I'm really trying to find good reasons to buy one of these boxes at what appears a ridiculously low price of $199.

They are a fantastic recorder, other features aside. Go buy one. The price is rediculous. We paid $700 (AU$499) for ours!

josephhinvest

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#636694 6-Jun-2012 14:32

GeoffisPure: I really like the feel of the remote - feels so nice in the hand. And the user interface of TiVo is quite nice too.

I've said it before and I'm sure I will say it again :)
If you use your TiVo lots like me, splash out on the premium Glo remote. It makes the standard remote, which is fine, feel like a cheapo plastic toy.

Cheers,
Joseph

Via Amazon

Edited many times to add a nice link. Why do I suck at these URL= tags??
Edited again to actually link to the correct product!

mattwnz

20159 posts

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#636708 6-Jun-2012 14:53

jofizz:
GeoffisPure: I really like the feel of the remote - feels so nice in the hand. And the user interface of TiVo is quite nice too.

I've said it before and I'm sure I will say it again :)
If you use your TiVo lots like me, splash out on the premium Glo remote. It makes the standard remote, which is fine, feel like a cheapo plastic toy.

Cheers,
Joseph

Via Amazon

Edited many times to add a nice link. Why do I suck at these URL= tags??
Edited again to actually link to the correct product!

Or get a harmony.

Quic Broadband

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PimpMyMagic

267 posts

Ultimate Geek

#637016 6-Jun-2012 22:17

Skolink:
Username01: Thanks for the replies guys. Still wondering though .... e.g. if I have an mkv file on my laptop, can I unplug the optional USB hard drive from the Tivo, plug it into my laptop, copy mkv (or mov, or avi, or flv) from the laptop to the usb drive, unplug the usb drive from the laptop, then plug it into the Tivo, will the Tivo like what it then sees, or not , or ask to format the hard drive into some bespoke format or will it cure my (common) cold..?

Definitely not. If you unplug the optional USB HDD you will loose all your recordings, as they are spread across both the internal and external drive. Also it uses the MFS file system - not Windows compatible.
EDIT: if you want more storage, just replace the internal drive. Its cheaper, tidier, less risky and it's fairly easy to do.

There seems to be a little confusion here between an optional USB drive and the External SATA drive on the TiVo.
I don't think you can use an external USB drive on a TiVo can you?

mattwnz

20159 posts

Uber Geek

#637023 6-Jun-2012 22:34

PimpMyMagic:
Skolink:
Username01: Thanks for the replies guys. Still wondering though .... e.g. if I have an mkv file on my laptop, can I unplug the optional USB hard drive from the Tivo, plug it into my laptop, copy mkv (or mov, or avi, or flv) from the laptop to the usb drive, unplug the usb drive from the laptop, then plug it into the Tivo, will the Tivo like what it then sees, or not , or ask to format the hard drive into some bespoke format or will it cure my (common) cold..?

Definitely not. If you unplug the?optional USB HDD you will loose all your recordings, as they are spread across both the internal and external drive. Also it uses the MFS file system -?not Windows compatible.
EDIT: if you want more storage, just replace the internal drive. Its cheaper, tidier, less risky and it's fairly easy to do.

?
There seems to be a little confusion here between an optional USB drive and the External SATA drive on the TiVo.?
I don't think you can use an external USB drive on a TiVo can you?

I don't think so. I think you may be only able to use the harddrive tivo sekks, and I think it maybe esata, probably due to the speed advtanage esata has over usb2

DanHybrid

112 posts

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#637050 6-Jun-2012 23:28

Just to clarify, no you can't use an external USB drive.

I think the other responders in the thread have covered most of everything else

Skolink

1081 posts

Uber Geek

#637157 7-Jun-2012 09:31

PimpMyMagic:
Skolink:
Username01: Thanks for the replies guys. Still wondering though .... e.g. if I have an mkv file on my laptop, can I unplug the optional USB hard drive from the Tivo, plug it into my laptop, copy mkv (or mov, or avi, or flv) from the laptop to the usb drive, unplug the usb drive from the laptop, then plug it into the Tivo, will the Tivo like what it then sees, or not , or ask to format the hard drive into some bespoke format or will it cure my (common) cold..?

Definitely not. If you unplug the optional USB HDD you will loose all your recordings, as they are spread across both the internal and external drive. Also it uses the MFS file system - not Windows compatible.
EDIT: if you want more storage, just replace the internal drive. Its cheaper, tidier, less risky and it's fairly easy to do.

There seems to be a little confusion here between an optional USB drive and the External SATA drive on the TiVo.
I don't think you can use an external USB drive on a TiVo can you?

Oops. Yes I forgot it is actually External SATA.

Username01

142 posts

Master Geek

#637303 7-Jun-2012 13:19

Thanks for clearing that up ... external being esata, not usb.
Still haven't got one - struggling to come to terms with its inability to record TVNZ7 after 30th June.

DanHybrid

112 posts

Master Geek

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Hybrid TV (TiVo)

#637313 7-Jun-2012 13:29

I may be poking a sore spot, but from what I understand on my side of the pond, there won't be a TVNZ7 after end of June for anyone to record.

http://tvnz.co.nz/content/4864302

mattwnz

20159 posts

Uber Geek

#637333 7-Jun-2012 14:21

DanHybrid: I may be poking a sore spot, but from what I understand on my side of the pond, there won't be a TVNZ7 after end of June for anyone to record.

http://tvnz.co.nz/content/4864302

Yeap, affects everyone not just tivo users. A sad day for NZ public broadcasting.

Username01

142 posts

Master Geek

#637605 8-Jun-2012 07:11

DanHybrid: I may be poking a sore spot, but from what I understand on my side of the pond, there won't be a TVNZ7 after end of June for anyone to record.

http://tvnz.co.nz/content/4864302

..... ouch.