[kymacman]

This may be a stupid question, but I'm going to ask anyway. I have a Directivo dvr, and I would like to transfer a recorded program from the dvr directly to my powerbook. Can I do this, and if so, would I have to use iMovie, or is there some other application that would permit this?

Anyone who can help, thanks in advance.

Steve

[dreilly1]

TiVo does have a program that lets you send your programs to your PC in a locked format so that you can view them on the PC without necessatily being able to copy them. But it's not available for your DirectTivo, and the client software isn't Mac compatible.

So, if you really want to do this, you need to get your hands dirty. TiVos run Linux on a slow PPC chip under the hood, and people have figured out how to crack open their TiVos and taste the creamy Linux goodness inside. Last time I checked, you literally had to open your TiVo and mount the hard drive on a PC running Linux, and then do some Linux voodoo to be able to telnet to the unit. (Someone must have directions on how to do it on a Mac by now...) Oh, and if your DirectTiVo doesn't have Ethernet, you'll probably need to add that, too. They sell ethernet cards for TiVos (I got mine at 9thtee.com), but you'll have to install it inside the machine and then dremel out a hole for the ethernet cable.

Once you have your TiVo connected to your network, then you can use the excellent TivoTool to download, stream, and burn stuff off your TiVo. (For some reason, TiVoTool only runs well on Tiger). TiVoTool works really, really well, but you need to have a functioning Linux login shell on your TiVo to be able to use it.

It's not as hard as it sounds, really! I've done it with my Series 1 TiVo.

Some links of interest:

http://tivo.stevejenkins.com/
http://tivocommunity.com/
http://tivotool.com/
http://www.9thtee.com/tivoupgrades.htm

[Woody]

dreilly1 - can you possibly give me a hand via email with my Series 1?
Many thanks in advance....

[Big Mac]

For those of us considering Tivo to DVD options through our Macs, this article and the comments attached to it are another good source of information. On the other hand, now that I read Tivo officially canceled it's Mac T2G plans, I may forgo it altogether. It seems that ReplayTV is still alive, those boxes are the most open of the DVRs, and there are several options available for pulling the content on to your Mac. Take a look at the Java-based DV Archive and the Mac Replay to DVD tutorial. The only thing that deters me from Replay is the monthly fee, causing me to opt for a DVD recorder instead.

[Gavin]

This is not a solution for you but people reading this thread who do not have a tivo yet may want to check out mythtv - it's a way to turn a linux pc into a tivo - you need a good video /tv card. it can use free internet based tv guide type services so no monthly fee. You'll need to get pretty down and dirty with the linux to get it working, and you'll have a full on computer in your living room, and it costs more up front for the hardware (all the software is free). But then you can do ANYTHING with your video. Burn recorded video to DVD. Backup your dvds to disk - like iTunes for your movies. Have a central media storage server and stream the video to any TV in the house. tons of cool stuff.

also eyetv is a do-hicky that makes your mac a tivo