Comments on: Video Podcasts From TiVo Desktop 2.6.1 Just Work – Still Room For Improvement

By: Scotjo

Scotjo — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 07:13:21 +0000

I have found that the interaction between my PC (XP Home) running TD 2.6.1 and my Series 2 TiVo has issues. Transfers seem to hang, and my PC often just loses it’s relationship with the TiVo, requiring a reboot. I have tried PyTiVo, and find it to be a better solution, even though I have no idea how to speak Python. Web video is far more watchable with a remote in my hand, rather than with a mouse.

By: carroca

carroca — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 21:35:53 +0000

I agree that Web Video through TiVo Desktop is a mixed bag but for the most part it has worked well for me and has allowed me to explore the many vidcasts that I’ve been hearing about. I’m just not haven’t been interested in sitting in front of the computer for hours searching out and watching video on the small screen. This certainly makes the process more enjoyable.

By: Dale Dietrich

Dale Dietrich — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:54:47 +0000

rainwater … I used to use PyTiVo. While it certainly works well enough for what it does, it is far from user friendly and certainly not something the average user could install or use.

Since writing the piece above two files large than 1 gig have not transferred using TiVo Desktop 2.6.1. I will update my post on the Daleisphere to reflect that. But, my pieces is narrowly about video podcasts on TiVo 2.6.1 and several days after writing this, and 30 or so podcasts in, I stand by it. All my podcasts are transferring perfectly. And i have NOT had any issue where my PC is leaking memory like Jim has experienced. If I do I will mention it.

So except for the issue with larger video files (and only 2 of about my 50 or so video files are THAT large) my 2.6.1 is working flawlessly.

…Dale

By: rainwater

rainwater — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:14:36 +0000

I would encourage everyone to try pyTiVo. Unlike TD 2.6.1, you can actually transfer large non drm protected files from your PC on Vista without failing. Also, it gives you much more configuration options for converting HD content. TiVo Desktop is in major need of a rewrite as well. Besides the major Vista bug that hasn’t been fixed since Vista was released, the UI is overly complicated and it looks like it was written for Windows 3.1.

By: Jim

Jim — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:34:33 +0000

Beware, TiVo Desktop 2.6.1 has a tremendous resource leak that’s been talked about on the forums. I believe it’s related to having a large hard drive on my Tivo, because I tried every other solution offered. (It consumes all available PC system memory until Windows just croaks.)
I had to roll back to an earlier desktop.
I’m eagerly awaiting a fix in some following version.

By: Dale Dietrich

Dale Dietrich — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:14:38 +0000

Well, that’s exactly right … this will be ever so much more simple when the H.254 switch is flipped on the S3 and the HD TiVo.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:46:38 +0000

I purchased the Plus key… I’m having mixed feelings regarding video podcast functionality. I wouldn’t call this a mainstream solution as the flow is non-intuitive (and I’ve spoken with Amir the project manager about this). Ideally, all podcasts would be transcoded by TiVo’s servers and I’d subscribe solely through my TiVo unit (top 250 podcasts or something). Now I subscribe on TiVo delivered from TiVo servers , on TiVo then transcoded and delivered by my PC, and on the PC. Perhaps we’ll have more direct net downloads without a PC in the mix once TiVo flips the switch on H.264 support.