How-To: Get TV shows off of your TiVo and onto your iPod (with video)

This week's How-To comes to us courtesy of Dave Zatz, a long-time Engadget pal who we finally convinced to join the staff as a contributor. Dave is the master of all things TiVo, and for his first How-To he's whipped up a guide to getting TV shows off of a Series 2 TiVo and on to a video-enabled iPod.

You may or may not agree that $1.99 is a fair price to download an episode of Lost, but you'll certainly agree that Apple's initial video library is quite sparse. Well, I've got good news for those of you with a networked Series 2 TiVo – all you need are TiVoToGo and a few software tools and  you'll be watching Monster Garage on that shiny new iPod in no time.

As with all video conversions, there are many ways to skin this cat. Below you'll find my preferred method, which I use because of its high rate of success, relative ease, and low cost (free). I'm operating under the assumption that you've already figured out how to use TiVo's Desktop software to transfer shows to your PC and have had success in playing them back. Sorry Mac users, TiVo has forsaken you.

I. Strip TiVo Metadata

TiVo doesn�t want you trading shows on BitTorrent, so they�ve gunked up a typical MPEG2 file. Let the de-gunking begin�

1. Launch DirectShow Dump (http://prish.com/etivo/tbr.htm)

2. Click �Add Files�

3. Browse to My Documents\My TiVo Recordings

4. Highlight the .tivo file you�d like to work with

5. Click �Open�

6. Wait for conversion to complete

7. Click �Close�

II. Convert MPEG2 to MPEG4

The video-capable iPod only supports MPEG4 and MOV files, so we�re in need of a conversion�

1. Launch VLC (http://www.videolan.org/vlc)
2. Click File > Open File
3. Browse to My Documents\My TiVo Recordings
4. Highlight converted .mpg show
5. Click �Open�
6. Check �Stream Output�
7. Click �Settings�
    a. Check File, type the file name and location such as C:\vidpod\show.mp4
    b. Check MP4 for Encapsulation Method
    c. Check Video Codec, choose mp4v in drop-down, choose Bitrate 1024, Scale 1*
    d. Check Audio Codec, choose mp4a in drop-down, choose Bitrate 128, Channels 2 channels

     * If your TiVo�s connected to a satellite receiver via S-Video and recording at �Best�: Scale .75; DVD-burning TiVos recording at �Best� or �Good�: Scale .5

8. Click �OK�

 

III. Load Up iTunes and iPod

All that�s left is importing the video into iTunes and syncing up�

1. Launch iTunes

2. Click File > Add File to Library

3. Browse to and highlight file

4. Click Open

5. Click Videos to see your show has arrived

6. Sync and go!

Once you�ve mastered these basics, you may consider exploring more powerful and complex methods of manipulating video. For example you can script batches, further compress video file size, or choose specific output resolutions using PSP Video 9 (http://www.pspvideo9.com/). With Apple diving into the portable video market, we�re also bound to see new software solutions springing up � some of them may even be useful.

Resolution Addendum for the Geeky

For those of you in the know, the new iPod is capable of handling MPEG4 video up to 480x480. That corresponds nicely to most TiVo devices which output 480x480 video at �Good� and �Best� quality. Resolution is slightly less using lower quality and/or RF Smoothing. Resolution is higher on DVD-burning TiVo units and those connected to satellite receivers via S-video. To compensate for those higher initial resolutions, VLC allows us to scale back the resolution as needed. For example, a DVD burning model�s 720x480 resolution must be brought down 50% to 360x240 for iPod playback. While a TiVo connected to a satellite receiver via S-video and recording at �Best� quality serves up 544x480, and should be dropped down 25% to be iPod compliant.

[Josef-Konrad @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

That one pretty neat how-to guide, and combined with TiVo it seems to be the best of both worlds, but I'm still not sold on watching a movie or a favorite TV program on such a small screen.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I have tried this and the conversion works wonderfully. You can convert a 1 hour show to .mp4 file in about 10 minutes.

I am running into a problem though. I tried importing them into iTunes as the directs show, but to no avail. Is there something else that should be done? Please help. Thank you.

James

Also, I just tried to play the file and I received an error message "Error-50: an unknown error occurred". Any fixes?

[Nicholas Hrycun @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/

It works great, I converted a AVI and it worked great. Very Easy.

[warrenpeace� @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Seems like a whole lot of work. Couldn't you just have watched the show in the time it took to do all that?

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Mind of Mencia???!! Not worth the effort.

[jamworx @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Mac users forsaken?
Am I doing this wrong?
Whenever I deem something saveable on my tivo, I bring it over to my Mac, Plug tivo into my camcorder and my cam into my mac thru firewire.
I then import directly into iMovie, edit (if desired) and export for h.264 or the new option 'ipod video'
It works great and u can get the file size very small without great audio or video quality loss.

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

FYI 1: QuickTime Pro ($30) doesn't natively support .tivo files or MPEG-2. An additional $20 Apple decoder will give you MPEG-2 decoding. Your TiVo file will still need to be stripped via something like DirectShow Dump prior to using QTP. Depending on how frequently you do this, the $50 might be a good investment. I haven't actually verified it works, though I have no reason to believe it won't. :)

FYI 2: 480x480 does not necessitate a 1:1 square resolution. The TiVo models outputting 480x480 do indeed display 4:3 visual resolution � the pixels are not square. The current version of VLC (0.8.2) honors that resolution in playback, but not in conversion so the output does appear a bit squished.

[jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The problem with #17's comment is that you cant always, easily hack the tivo. This is especially true if you have the Nightlight series 2. But I do beleive this is a subject for another time and place.

[GSP @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Very cool, but since I'm primarily a Mac user (who also has Windoze), I'm curious if there is a way to take my TivoToGo in Windoze and convert it so I can watch it via QuickTime on my Mac/PowerBook?

[carolyn hunnicutt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Ok, Anyone want to share the easiest way for a technology challenged grandmother who spends alot of time at the nursing home (no tv) with grandpa to convert from tivo to ipod? I have tivo, but am not sure if it's the kind you're talking about. I'm sorry, I know this will bug some of you techno geniuses, but I really would love to be able to take some shows with me. Thanks! Cth

[Morgan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Does any1 know the process for getting windows media center recorded shows to the ipod

[carol @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

To James (comment #27): I got that same error-50 when I forgot to properly set mp4v and mp4a in the drop-down boxes. When I fixed that and reconverted the file, iTunes took the file just fine.

[AWilliam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

G, G, G,...G gots a new Tivo and Video Ipod....it's Hammer Time!

[Drew Sarkisian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

No luck at all using DirectShow Dump to produce files that QuickTime Pro 7 (with the MPEG-2 addon) can play. Simply get a black screen when I transfer the translated file to my Mac (it's nice having both Mac and Windows boxen).

Any other suggestions to "de-gunk" my .tivo files?

Thanks.

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

GSP & Drew, check out the Mac version of VLC for playback and/or conversion after you've run your TiVo files through DirectShow Dump on the PC.

[Joseph "tech" Gluckstern @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

There is a very important step missing here. Your must use QTPro 7.02 or above to convert a scaled version that works for Ipod Video or you get a "can't copy error" when you try and sync to Ipod. From what I have been told by apple, the Ipod video only support 320 and not 480

This can take many hours for a one hour TV program. This changes the whole thing. Please try and get your facts straight.

[AprilWhine @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Poster #41 is correct, you still need to run the file through QTpro to move to the Ipod.

When I did that, it took ungodly long to export a simple half hour show. I went back and tried Videora, recommended by #28. It works! ! !

So, run your Tivo show through DSD, then convert with Videora. Now, rename the show to remove any symbols except alphanumerics. Add to the iTunes library then sync with your Ipod and you are there! I'm moving my AbFab shows to my Ipod as I post.

[Karla @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I have the new video ipod and tivo as well. I was following all the steps on getting my tivo shows converted to my ipod and at the part where you are supposed to put a file name to save the conversion in(in the stream output screen). Where do I save this file to? It keeps automatically coming up to my tivo recordings folder. Is that the one? Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

[Doug @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I have followed each step over and over and I still can't get the program to load into itunes, let alone the ipod. I have no idea what I'm doing wrong.

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

It has come to my attention that some folks are having trouble with version 0.8.2 of VLC, but are having better luck with 0.8.0 in prepping video.

I'm currently using Videora iPod Converter (http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/) instead of VLC after running my file through DirectShow Dump. It's a quicker interface to navigate and allows me to queue up many conversions at once. Output format and quality is consistently very good.

[Anna @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Anyone have any ideas on how to take the commercials out of the shows without screwing anything up?

[gratefldiver @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I also am deperately hoping someone has this information please:
Now what about Comcast's PVR player from Motorola? I see that it's got both Firewire and USB ports. Is there anyway to extract video from there?

I have hours of HD content stored and wish to move it to my Mac network. HELP?

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

After I convert my mpeg to MP4 or MOV, I'm getting the following error: 3ivx.dll was not found
I tried re-installing quicktime but it did not fix it.
Any suggestions?

[Ian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

When you import the movies into iTunes are they listed as "Movies" or "TV Shows"? I've tried similar methods to this one for getting my TV shows into iTunes but I don't like the fact that they're always listed as "Movies" and there doesn't appear to be any way of changing it (only to "Music videos" and thats even less appropriate).

So is there a way to get TV shows into iTunes without downloading from the iTMS?

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've converted successfully using your method and also using the TVHarmony approach. However, with both, the transfer has a synching problem between video and audio. The lag was greater with TVHarmony, but still noticable with your method.

Anyone else have this problem? Better yet, does anyone have a solution!

[Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've converted successfully using your method and also using the TVHarmony approach. However, with both, the transfer has a synching problem between video and audio. The lag was greater with TVHarmony, but still noticable with your method.

Anyone else have this problem? Better yet, does anyone have a solution!

[Jenna @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've used the Videora conversion tool recommended above, but every time I add a file to iTunes, nothing happens. No error message or anything, the file just never appears! I'm getting really frustrated so if anyone could help me, I'd appreciate it to no end... mccheeksATgmailDOTcom

[hlh @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

is there another option besides iTunes to transfer video and photos to the ipod? i've recently given in to the evil empire to buy my wife the new ipod, but i'll be damned if i install iTunes on my machine. any suggestions?

[Allyn Woghin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I followed all the directions as above, got everything into iTunes beautifully, and then, when I went to sync my iPod, I got an error that said: "Some of these files (the ones I transferred over) will not be transferred to (your) iPod." Something about it not being permitted? Anyone else seen this? What am I missing? It's in iTunes! I'm so close! I just need to get it on the iPod! Thoughts? Suggestions? Please reply....

[Allyn Woghin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I followed all the directions as above, got everything into iTunes beautifully, and then, when I went to sync my iPod, I got an error that said: "Some of these files (the ones I transferred over) will not be transferred to (your) iPod." Something about it not being permitted? Anyone else seen this? What am I missing? It's in iTunes! I'm so close! I just need to get it on the iPod! Thoughts? Suggestions? Please reply....

[The Other Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I too had problems using the VLC tool (as in post #55), so I tried the Videora Converter for iPod mentioned in #45 -- it works great!

The process is really simple:
- Use DirectShow Dump to create an .mpg file
- Use Videora to create an iPod-capable .mp4 file from the .mpg file

[Mac user @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Oh, the Mac user is never forsaken. A "hacked" tivo is a dream--either hack it yourself or just buy a swap and drop "upgrade" drive from any of a number of online places (http://www.weaknees.com or http://www.ptvupgrade.com for example) that will sell you drives that are not only significantly bigger than the one you already have, but already preconfigured for networking and recording unencrypted programs.

And then tivotool does it all for you. Start up TivoTool, browse your now playing list, click on any program and TivoTool grabs it, converts it, and adds it to your iTunes playlist, all ready for iPod syncing. Automatically.

One click heaven, baby.

TivoToGo. Chuh.

[Allyn Woghin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

If someone has Windows, not a Mac, any suggestions for a program like MPEG Streamclip to remove commercials! I have the video now and everything, but would love to take out that stuff. Because, also, fast forwarding isn't working for me! If I try to fast forward, occasionally the picture locks up and won't restart and I have to go back to the beginning. Thoughts on either question?

[Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

FYI, got it to work pretty well using DirectShowDVD to strip out the .tivo encoding and then using PSP Direct 9 for conversion and transfer to the PSP.

[Leslie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

after using DSD, use Videora to convert the file to mp4. The one in the guide let me transfer to ipod, but then the playback didn't work. With videora, make sure you take out any characters other than letters in the file name, otherwise it will not work. Also, if you're having a problem getting it into itunes, make sure to disable automatic update.

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Would the same process (up to the itunes part) work for getting video on to a PSP?

[m @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

What about other DVRs? Like the satellite services - I have dish network....

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

very cool.
now all i need to do is get a new iPod and a TIVO!

[Mu Doggy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Sounds good. I've had all the archos video players and everything, but for some reason, because I have a 20GB ipod, I want this ipod as an upgrade. The archos made it easy, most of the time not even having to convert any video, it just worked - but I still want this one for some reason...

[Tev @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I'm curious about the aspect ratio - he says:

"For those of you in the know, the new iPod is capable of handling MPEG4 video up to 480x480. That corresponds nicely to most TiVo devices which output 480x480 video at �Good� and �Best� quality."

But standard TV resolution is 4:3, not 1:1... the thumbnail in that screenshot looks like the incorrect aspect, but I'm not sure if that's just iTunes doing a poor job of showing thumbnails...

[Mu Doggy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

1st - How do those who have ReplayTV (which always records at the high resolution of 720x480) change this into something higher resolution than 360x240? Wouldn't 480x480 look better because its higher res? And isn't that a square, so watching it on the computer would be squished??
2nd - #2, just use PSP Video9 to do psp stuff, it names the video files correctly, and can transfer directly to your psp.

[Tobias Fredriksson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

well sure it would.
if the psp supports the video which it should.
do notice that the psp has 480x270 (i think) so you should use that as a standard res for pretty pixels :D

[Bedammit @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

We want it because Apple has set the status quo for cool media players. Some media players have more storage or additional features, but Apple definitely has the cool factor.

[zeke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Archos or pocketdish
http://www.pocketdish.com/av700e.jsp

Death to crippleware.

[Carl Zielke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Would this work to convert a file into something that could be played on a Palm using Kimona or some other software? I have only had my non-video Ipod since last Christmas and do not intend to spend another $400 soon.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Re #8: You can use something like Galleon (http://galleon.sourceforge.net/html/) to automate downloads. Then use dsd's batch processing to automatically strip the tivo bits off.

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

I've used Quicktime Pro 7 (you need the update 7.03) to kick out video for the iPod for Video. It couldn't be easier, you just take any mpeg or mov file into Quicktime and choose file -> export -> movie to iPod video. I was surprised at how long it took to kick out a 21 minute tv show (about 15 minutes on my dual 2.5ghz G5). When it was done file size was around 95mb and it looked pretty good, even scaled up on screen.

[Videora @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

The Videora/PSP Video 9 guys have released a free converter app specifically for the iPod:
Videora iPod Converter

http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/

[Joshua Ochs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

Since TV content is either 4:3 or 16:9, wouldn't exporting it as 1:1 (as it would be with 480x480) stretch the picture vertically? In fact, given the iPod's screen, wouldn't it make a lot more sense for 4:3 TV shows to be encoded in 320x240? It'll take up a lot less space, for one thing (about 1/3).

[the other steve jobs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:20AM]

those with hacked TiVo's have no need of this trouble.

TivoTool will let you grab any scrambled file on your TiVo (setting your TiVo to record unscrabled is the first and most important thing to do on a TiVo hacking adventure) and drag it to your hard drive. From there - converting to iPod sized screens is simple as pie with the Quicktime 7.0.3 - as #12 said.

Mac users - hack your TiVos! Its your equipment, damnit!