First look at TiVo Desktop 2.1

A few weeks ago we got Engadget amigo Dave Zatz to check out the beta for TiVo Desktop 2.1 for us, and now that the final version has arrived we figured we'd ask him to take a second look and tell us what changes they might have made (oh, we should mention that TiVo Desktop is still for PCs only—a Mac version of TiVo Desktop is still years away). Here's what he found:

As we originally reported in March, the new software drops the redundant and buggy Desktop playback password, adds Portable Media Center support, and blacklists several software conversion tools.

TiVo Desktop 2.1 is a definite improvement in stability and convenience over the previous software by doing away with the Desktop playback password. Once the software has registered a person's unique Media Access Key, no human authorization is needed when opening each TiVo file.

TiVo is actually selling themselves short by emphasizing its support for Microsoft�s Portable Media Center. The integration with Windows Media Player 10 provides for the conversion of TiVo files to WMV, which means you can play the file on ANY portable device running Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, including Pocket PCs and Smartphones.

Like the beta, the final version of TiVo Desktop 2.1 blacklists various file conversion tools. The big losers here are anyone who was using Dr. DivX, TMPGEnc, and Media Encoder; none of these are able to open TiVo files any more. For a lot of people that means no more watching TiVo videos on their Palm PDAs, DivX-compatible DVD players, etc.

Surprisingly, TiVo Desktop 2.1 did not deliver the customized TiVo software player we originally tested. Presumably, it�s not ready for prime time, as we did observe wandering buttons and audio sync issues.

[Jeremiah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

I downloaded it yesterday and was able to use Windows Media 10 to sync with my Axim X50V just fine which is nice, just wish it was a little faster. Still nice that they did follow through with Windows Mobile support! :)

[Ari @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

So on the whole, would you say it's worth installing, after considering the lost "functionality"?

[Velorea @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Looks like changing a few characters in a file will clear up the Dr DivX/TMPGEnc blocking:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/ttg.htm#rollback

[Cameron @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

#3, good link, looks like the protection they've implemented is trivial. Let's hope they leave it this way, and it appease the powers that be.

[Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

So wait. Can the files be converted over so that I can use them on my PSP now?

[Christian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

I don't have TiVo (or a TV, incidentally), but I always thought TiVo should have a touch-tone service you could call into while you were on the go ... in the same way as you, say, call your mom and ask her to tape stuff for you. Well hey, maybe they already have that for all I know. But the desktop app is a step in the right direction.

[Fuzzy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Jeremiah: Doing a straight sync doesn't reduce the size of the file though, right? Previously, I've been shrinking down the file (and resolution) so I can fit more on my SD cards...

[Fuzzy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Christian:
Not a touch tone phone interface, but you can go to tivo.com, sign into your account, and tell your Tivo to record something. If your Tivo is connected via broadband it checks for new orders every 10 or 15 minutes (my experience) while if it's on dial-up it's much less often so you have to do it like a day in advance.

[Jake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:13AM]

Christian: They have that and better. You can log in to your account at Tivo.com and pick programs to record. If you are connected by dial-up, the tasks get downloaded at your next daily call. If you are connected with broadband, it will push out sooner (usually 3-4 hours).
Tivo desktop is just for 1) playing MP3s or viewing photos on your Tivo across your network and 2) downloading recorded shows from your Tivo to your PC.