TiVo DRM cracked, non-Windows users rejoice

Historically, one of the main raps against TiVo has been its lack of support for non-Windows users with respect to transferring recordings off of the set-top box; TiVoToGo is a privilege served up to Windows users only. Well that's all about to change, if the crafty coders over at Sourceforge have anything to say about it. According to several sources (most significantly, the 'forgers themselves), a program that's been a year in the making -- the so-called TiVo File Decoder -- is finally stable enough to run in the wild from command lines worldwide. Although there are currently no OS-specific GUIs to expedite the process, Decoder will still perform a .tivo-to-MPEG conversion without the need for tools like DirectShowDump, so it should only be a matter of time before polished Mac and Linux interfaces are compiled that dumb down the process for the average user. As with all DRM-altering applications of this nature, the usual caveats apply -- you're responsible for your own data, and when the TiVo police show up at your door to take a swing at your MacBook with a sledgehammer, make sure to blame the folks at Sourceforge and not your good friends at Engadget.

[Via PVRWire]

[Joe @ Dec 4th 2006 10:49AM]

I've been using TVHarmony Autopilot which will take shows off of a TivoToGo'd TiVo and convert them to non-DRM'd mpeg files. It can even strip commercials. It's still in beta but it works great! Very easy to setup and use.

http://www.tvharmony.com/products.php

[Chappy @ Dec 4th 2006 10:17AM]

I wonder how this will effect the CableLabs certification of the TiVo-To-Go and Multi-Rooom Viewing options of the Series 3 TiVo?

[andy @ Dec 4th 2006 10:30AM]

That, and I was kind of hoping for a download on demand movie service. I guess that's a pipe dream now.

I hate RIAA/MPAA. Give us what we want and I won't even bother with wondering how to hack something.

[jschmidt @ Dec 4th 2006 10:32AM]

That's just GREAT! (Not) Chappy, I was thinking the same exact thing when I read this. I understand that CableLabs is currently certifying TiVo's DRM for use in the Series 3 TiVo-To-Go and Multi-Room Viewing options. With the DRM cracked, CableLabs might have a hard time giving the DRM the ThumbsUp. I understand that studios have a need and a right to protect their content, but I disagree with the extent they have gone because it ultimately hurts consumers and the features they are able to utilize. Now, with this DRM cracked, we may never see TTV or MRV on the Series 3.

[andy @ Dec 4th 2006 11:31AM]

They're not just hurting consumers, they're causing the piracy. People are making easy to use apps for removing DRM because it's too restrictive. Then, when it's so easy, why pay?

If they didn't restrict the stuff quite so much (read: allowed tivo to do MRV and TTG before its release), then all of the motivation for cracking the DRM would have disappeared. It might have been a novelty for someone eventually, but many less people would have been trying because there would have been no point.

Content provider motto: Live and don't learn.

Drm schemes that are too restrictive are cracked day after day. If it's not too restrictive, people won't bother.

[meehawl @ Dec 4th 2006 3:33PM]

Brilliant!

Imagine - sharing recordings over a network without DRM.

Now Tivo finally has almost attained the same capabilities as my 2001-era ReplayTV. Now that's progress!

[brandon @ Dec 4th 2006 11:18AM]

"...TiVo police show up at your door to take a swing at your MacBook with a sledgehammer..."

SmashmyMacBook.com! An adventure in idiocy sponsored by TiVo!

[Jon @ Dec 4th 2006 12:07PM]

What's the big deal? I've been using VideoReDo to do this for probably a year. (And I can also remove the commercials at the same time.)

[bdichter @ Dec 5th 2006 11:40AM]

This is for non-Windows users and VideoReDo is a Windows program. The Mac and Linux users can't use that program.

[Lee Gibson @ Dec 4th 2006 11:46AM]

Andy, do you know what a circular argument is?

DRM is indeed silly, but not for the reasons you give.

[Damage @ Dec 4th 2006 12:11PM]

Apple's Fairplay would like to have a word with you (which I last checked, was supposed to be a fair DRM)...

[djhindsight @ Dec 4th 2006 12:35PM]

um.... sourceforge is a hosting site.

"if the crafty coders over at Sourceforge have anything to say about it. According to several sources (most significantly, the 'forgers themselves)"

[Raz 4 life @ Dec 4th 2006 5:02PM]

Non-Windows = Nondows