TiVoToGo arrives (finally!)

We've waited and waited and waited for this, and the day has finally come: it's a few months later than they had wanted to, but TiVo is launching TiVoToGo today. Here's the scoop: if you have a Series2 TiVo you should be getting an automatic software upgrade that'll make it possible for you to copy shows stored on your digital video recorder to a PC over a home network (burning to DVD is coming later). You have to install special TiVoToGo-enabled software on your PC (a version for Macs is coming, too) and the files are encrypted to prevent copying and require a special media access code which is tied to your account for playback (and, of course, TiVo would like you to know that sharing files and codes online could result in the termination of your account). There are a few other caveats, like you can't copy pay-per-view programming or some stuff from paid channels like HBO, but the worst news is that none of this will be available to people who own DirecTiVos—TiVoToGo is only available to owners of standalone TiVo boxes.

[sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

anyone know what file format they are using for this? wmv with drm?

[sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

does anyone know the format for the video files?
is it wmv with drm?

[Anthony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

c'moooooon Mac support!!!

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Has anyone received the software update yet? Didn't look at my Tivo this morning so I don't know.

[Steve Sizemore @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

This is going to be awesome once the add mac support or dvd burning. My personal notebook is a 12" powerbook.

[Ricky Clay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

For the ReplayTV owner, there is a Java-based app called DVArchive available from Sourceforge which does the same thing for network-enabled Replays without the "code" restrictions or encryption. It's free and it runs on Macs.

[Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

What a joke! We've been hearing about this forever, and when it finally arrives -- Windows only! Who cares about frigging Windows? When do we get a version that can actually be used?!

[danny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Bleh. No DirectTivo support?! I wish I had gotten a ReplayTV. I was signing up for the Tivo rewards program for getting friends to sign up (which I have done) and after I finish signing up I see that DirectTivo customers are not eligible. Why exclude such a big chunk of your customers from so many things?

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

And just in time for Christmas!

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Hopefully it doesn't take as long as they are saying! I can't wait to get my upgrade.

From TiVo's site:
Please note: Due to the large number of customers who are eligible for this software release, it will take several weeks for you to receive the software after you put in your request. Your patience is appreciated.

[Tom L @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I think I know the answer but I don't see any mention of Pocket PC's. Will I be able to transfer shows to my iPAQ? My 4150 runs WMP 9 but some of the newer iPAQs use WMP 10. Would it work on a WMP 10 PPC?

[dalton @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

The Tivo FAQ says that you will need Windows Media Player 10 *and* some special codecs. So, until someone ports the codecs over to WinMobile platform, no iPaq for you. But, I'm sure it will happen.

I can't wait for someone to figure out how to strip out the DRM (ala Hymn) so's that I can burn DVDs without needing to buy the stoopid Sonic burning program. Note to Tivo - don't worry, I'm not going to put the Gilmore Girls on the torrent network and ruin it all for you.

[me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

AWSOME!

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Can Engadget please do some digging and find out why DirecTiVos seem to remain crippled? No HMO, no USB and now no toGo... thats ridiculous.

[wendo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I believe it's on DirecTV's end as to why their Tivo's are crippled. The Tivo forums are a good place for information.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/

[mike chambers @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

>Can Engadget please do some digging and find out why DirecTiVos seem to remain crippled?

I think it is because DirectTiVos dont rencode the video stream, but rather just take it directly from Direct TVC and write it to the hard disk, and then just play it back. I.e., it has no encoder / compressor.

Where as the regular tivos actually encode the video stream into mp2.

mike chambers

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

All I want to know is if this means I can play TV shows on my phone that has WMP 10...anyone?

[Ron Amadeo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

It's Directv's fault that Directivos have computer networking disabled. DTV is paranoid about piracy.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

"All I want to know is if this means I can play TV shows on my phone that has WMP 10...anyone?"

No, no and for the last time no!

Go through the whole process of getting yourself ready for T2G and you'll see why. It'll only work on Windows PC's, and that's it. (And Macs, once they make software for it.)

[Open Letter to TiVo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

OPEN LETTER TO TIVO:

Disappointing Wireless Support

I have a TiVo-branded box that begins with "140" as well as another newer box. I have an existing G router and NetGear WG111 USB 2.0 adapter for my laptop.

Previously, I had little reason to establish a network with my TiVo. However with the recent launch of TiVoToGo, I investigated the "Recommended Wireless Adapters" in the forum section of the Tivo website. It is *very* disappointing to see no USB 2.0 adapters listed. In fact, the only adapters that are "TiVo tested & certified" or "not tested, but reported to work" on my 140 box are outdated, over-sized, B adapters that require stringing a USB cable to a clunky device instead of the more compact USB adapters that plug directly into the port. Additionally, these outdated devices are hard to find and frequently cost more than newer, better and faster adapters.

It is difficult to understand why TiVo has launched their new TiVoToGo service (which will enable copying of shows to a PC over a home network) without support for greater bandwidth adapters. This seems like poor planning.

I would like anyone from TiVo to provide a specific time line for further "certified" adapters that are USB 2.0 and 802.11g.

[Open Letter to TiVo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

OPEN LETTER TO TIVO:

Disappointing Wireless Support

I have a TiVo-branded box that begins with "140" as well as another newer box. I have an existing G router and NetGear WG111 USB 2.0 adapter for my laptop.

Previously, I had little reason to establish a network with my TiVo. However with the recent launch of TiVoToGo, I investigated the "Recommended Wireless Adapters" in the forum section of the Tivo website. It is *very* disappointing to see no USB 2.0 adapters listed. In fact, the only adapters that are "TiVo tested & certified" or "not tested, but reported to work" on my 140 box are outdated, over-sized, B adapters that require stringing a USB cable to a clunky device instead of the more compact USB adapters that plug directly into the port. Additionally, these outdated devices are hard to find and frequently cost more than newer, better and faster adapters.

It is difficult to understand why TiVo has launched their new TiVoToGo service (which will enable copying of shows to a PC over a home network) without support for greater bandwidth adapters. This seems like poor planning.

I would like anyone from TiVo to provide a specific time line for further "certified" adapters that are USB 2.0 and 802.11g.

[Anon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

#20:
Only some tivo boxes have usb 2.0 hardware suport. A series2 box will have usb 2.0 hardware suport if the TSN starts with "2". Maybe others too.

But you are right that they need update the software to enable usb 2.0 and get some g adapters too. Even if to use people's existing usb 2.0 adapters in the 1.1 port like yours.

[me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

http://www.spymac.com/news/index.php?contentid=1534

Apple to buy TiVo ... im so happy.

[Michael @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

"No, no and for the last time no!"

No need to jump all over me, it wasn't mentioned anywhere. My phone runs Windows, syncs with Windows, and has WMP 10 which is what TivoToGo requires. It's a perfectly normal question.

[zushiba @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

I bought an opened boxed tivo series 2 240 a while back that set me back $70 including sales tax.
I kept trying to get the wifi to work with my D-Link DWL 122 but for some reason the menus I was being told to use weren't even IN the system so obviously I had to upgrade the firmware, 3 hours on the phone later the firmware was updated. I plugged in my D-Link DWL 122 USB WiFi adapter and it told me it needed to update its firmware so as to make it compatible with the tivo and that this would render the device useless on anything else. So whatever I couldn't get D-Link DWL 122 drivers for my OSX box so fine go ahead and update it. months later I couldn't me happier with the results. Also the thing was only $30.

[wendo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

USB 2.0 support is supposed to come very soon. (CES is this week.) Also, from what I've read, Wireless G support is coming as well.

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

So what do I get to use my USB ports for on the back of my DirecTV DVR? Sheesh.

[porovaara @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Tivo, frankly, has lost it.

I used to be a huge fan but given their complete mishandling of this whole TivoToGo rollout I've decided to not recommend them anymore. Not only did they miss their release date badly but this new release has greatly scaled back features and even worse doesn't even work on all new Tivos. That's right! Those of us who ponyed-up for the high end Tivos with DVDR functionality get to wait until Spring! Oh boy! Given Tivo's time scales that means we can expect it to launch around August.

The sad part is Tivo chose to ignore their ability to manage expectations and instead played ignorant and innocent at every turn even going so far as to lie on a conference call to investors.

Good game Tivo, good game.

[Charlie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

In response to question 26, take a look at the DealDatabase forums (http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/). I have my DirecTivo enabled with HMO, multiroom viewing, and the ability to copy or stream video to my laptop, as well as reinsert it to my TiVo. Granted it isn't for the novice, and they should have just provided these features to begin with.

[Jerry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:09AM]

Pocket PC afficionados: check out http://www.tivo.com/5.3.1.1.asp?article=233 for a CES blurb that includes the following:

"Gates demonstrated how television programs stored on a TiVo� box can be transferred to a Windows XP PC for playback on Windows Mobile devices, including Portable Media Centers, and media-capable Pocket PCs and Smart phones."